Golden Globes nominee Cynthia Erivo is one of the talented stars to emerge in the world of entertainment in recent years.
Born in London on January 8, 1987, the powerhouse performer’s rise to fame has been nothing short of inspiring. She is known for her incredible voice and acting skills. As we can all remember, Cnythia brought the house down during her portrayal as Elphaba aka the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked Part 1 and 2. Her performance of Defying Gravity gave fans chills.
Cynthis has also wowed the crowds in the theatre room, as well as viewers on both television and film.
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With a background in musical theatre, she has stood on stage in a number of iconic West End and Broadway productions, namely in the musical revival of The Color Purple, earning her a Tony Award.
She studied music psychology at the University of East London. But she didn’t end up finishing her degree there. She instead transferred to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art(RADA) and graduated from there with a degree in acting.
After university, she moved on to starring in the West End shows, as well as making cameos in shows such as Chewing Gum and The Tunnel. Her first stage role was in Marine Parade by Simon Stephens at the Brighton Festival.
Cnythia has bagged some accolades over the years thanks to her talents, including a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and an Emmy Award.
Now let’s look at some of her best performance. Here are some of the amazing TV shows and movies Cnythia Erivo has starred in.
The Colour Purple (Broadway and West End)
Cynthia Erivo is probably best recognised for her role as Celie in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. The production was based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The show opened in 2015 and was instantly a huge hit. Cynthia played the character Celie, and thanks to her role, she earned her widespread acclaim, including the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. We must not forget her rendition of “I’m Here,” which became a defining moment in the production.
Harriet (Film)
Cynthia Erivo is also known for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in Harriet, the biographical drama about the iconic abolitionist. She took on the role in 2019. The film is sensationally directed by Kasi Lemmons and follows Tubman’s story from slavery to becoming one of the most celebrated figures in American history. Cynthia’s role as Tubman earned her widespread praise, including nominations for Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Genius: Aretha (TV Series)
Cynthia Erivo’s talents extended to television with her portrayal of the legendary Aretha Franklin in the National Geographic series Genius: Aretha. Premiering in 2021, the series chronicles the life and career of Franklin, the Queen of Soul. Erivo’s performance was a standout, as she embodied the complexities of Franklin’s personal and professional life with stunning precision. From her vocal skills to her captivating on-screen presence, Erivo received widespread acclaim for her portrayal, cementing her status as one of the most talented performers of her generation.
The Outsider (TV Series)
Another standout television role for Erivo came in 2020 when she starred in the HBO miniseries The Outsider. Based on Stephen King’s novel, the show follows a detective investigating a gruesome murder that seems to have an inexplicable supernatural element. Erivo played Holly Gibney, a private investigator with an extraordinary ability to solve difficult cases. Her portrayal of Holly earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, further demonstrating her range as an actress.
Bad Times at the El Royale (Film)
In 2018, Cynthia Erivo starred in the thriller Bad Times at the El Royale. Set in the 1960s, the film revolves around a group of strangers who cross paths at a mysterious motel. Erivo plays Darlene Sweet, a singer with a troubled past who finds herself involved in a dangerous game of deception. Her performance stood out in an ensemble cast that included Jeff Bridges and Dakota Johnson, proving once again her ability to command the screen with her charisma and emotional depth.
The Morning Show (TV Series)
Cynthia Erivo also appeared in a prominent role in The Morning Show, Apple TV+’s hit series that delves into the world of television news and its behind-the-scenes drama. Erivo joined the cast in the second season, playing the character of Bradley Jackson’s (played by Reese Witherspoon) new colleague, who challenges the established power dynamics at the fictional network. Her inclusion in the series further expanded her versatility as an actress, and her strong performance added depth to the already star-studded cast.
West End Theatre Performances
Before making her mark on Broadway, Cynthia Erivo had already established herself in London’s West End. In addition to her role in The Color Purple, she also starred in the West End production of I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical, where she showcased her comedic chops. Erivo’s performances in the West End helped build the foundation for her future success, demonstrating her ability to thrive in diverse roles across different genres of musical theatre.
In 2024, Cynthia and her co-stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey blow fans away after their performances in Wicked. She then returned to the big screen for the second part of the epic Hollywood movie, Wicked: For Good.
Speaking about her iconic role and the powerful defying gravity scene. She told Variety: “But it’s one of those things that don’t permeate if you don’t go through the hard work,” Erivo explained.
“I want you to feel like it’s easy … I want you to feel the pain that she’s feeling because the pain is real to me. It comes from a very real place.”
“I didn’t even believe I would be seen,” Erivo also told to Vanity Fair. “I was like, ‘I don’t think this is going to happen, but I love the idea of watching this musical.’ I kept telling my team, ‘Do not give me any information. I don’t want to know. I don’t want to know who’s gone in. I don’t want to know what people are being asked to do. I don’t want to know anything about it.'”