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Cynthia Erivo

Birth Place: Stockwell, South London

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BIO

Erivo is an English actress, singer, and songwriter. She is the recipient of several accolades, including a Grammy Award and a Tony Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.


Erivo began acting in a 2011 stage production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. She gained recognition for starring in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple from 2015 to 2017, for which she won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Erivo ventured into films in 2018, playing roles in the heist film Widows and the thriller Bad Times at the El Royale. For her portrayal of American abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the biopic Harriet (2019), Erivo received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress; she also wrote and performed the song "Stand Up" on its soundtrack, which garnered her a nomination in the Best Original Song category. She stars as Elphaba in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked, with part one set for release in November 2024.
On television, Erivo had her first role in the British series Chewing Gum (2015). She went on to star in the crime drama miniseries The Outsider (2020), and received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for her portrayal of American singer Aretha Franklin in National Geographic's anthology series Genius: Aretha (2021). Additional film and television credits include Needle in a Timestack, Drift, and Luther: The Fallen Sun.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
2024
Guest star

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2015
Celie

[Off-Broadway]
St. Ann's Warehouse and Donmar Warehouse Off-Broadway Revival, 2015
Poins/The Earl of Douglas

[West End]
West End Original Production, 2014
Chenice


Movies

Widows
[ 2018 ] Belle
Bad Times at the El Royale
[ 2018 ] Darlene Sweet
Harriet
[ 2019 ] Harriet, Minty
Chaos Walking
[ 2021 ] Hildy
Needle in a Timestack
[ 2021 ] Janine Mikkelsen
Pinocchio
[ 2022 ] Blue Fairy
Wicked
[ 2024 ] Elphaba
Wicked: Part Two
[ 2025 ] Elphaba

TV Shows

Broad City
Lisa

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Cynthia Erivo, The Color Purple

Drama League Awards - 2016 - Distinguished Performance Award

Cynthia Erivo, The Color Purple


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Cynthia Erivo, The Color Purple


winner
Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Cynthia Erivo, The Color Purple

Evening Standard Awards - 2013 - Best Musical Performance

Cynthia ErivoThe color Purple

Videos

News


WICKED Singalong Party Announced At So & So's In Hell's Kitchen Photo
WICKED Singalong Party Announced At So & So's In Hell's Kitchen

Broadway stars are set to host a cabaret-style party at So & So's in Hell's Kitchen on November 21. The event promises an evening of performances and entertainment in a vibrant setting.
Video: Sy'rai Smith and Krista Campbell Take on WICKED in New Cover of R&B Classic Photo
Video: Sy'rai Smith and Krista Campbell Take on WICKED in New Cover of R&B Classic

Sy'rai Smith and Krista Campbell are channeling Elphaba and Glinda in a brand-new video from YouTuber Michael Korte. The two performers star in this Wicked parody that puts an R&B twist on Brandy and Monica's duet The Boy is Mine.
Video: Cynthia Erivo Sits Down for WICKED Fireside Chat Photo
Video: Cynthia Erivo Sits Down for WICKED Fireside Chat

In partnership with Universal Pictures and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xfinity has shared a fireside chat featuring Cynthia Erivo, star of Wicked and Honorary AKA member. Watch it now.
Cynthia Erivo Signs First Look Deal with Universal Photo
Cynthia Erivo Signs First Look Deal with Universal

Cynthia Erivo's production company Edith's Daughter is partnering with Universal on a new first-look deal. The performer is currently starring in Universal's Wicked, which opens in theaters in just two short days.
Video: Cynthia Erivo Sings 'It's Not Easy Bein' Green' with Oscar the Grouch Photo
Video: Cynthia Erivo Sings 'It's Not Easy Bein' Green' with Oscar the Grouch

In a video posted by Sesame Street on YouTube, Cynthia Erivo has collaborated with Oscar the Grouch in a rendition of the classic Muppet song 'It's Not Easy Bein' Green.'
Video: Bowen Yang Shares How Ariana Grande Helped Him Star in WICKED Photo
Video: Bowen Yang Shares How Ariana Grande Helped Him Star in WICKED

In a new interview on TODAY, Wicked star and SNL cast member Bowen Yang shared that he asked Jon M. Chu for a part in the new film. He also credits Ariana Grande for helping him get permission from SNL boss Lorne Michaels to miss shows. Watch the interview!
Video: WICKED Cast Shares Behind-the-Scenes Stories in TODAY Interviews Photo
Video: WICKED Cast Shares Behind-the-Scenes Stories in TODAY Interviews

Last week, TODAY hosted 'Wicked Week,' a celebration of the new film which finally hits theaters this Friday. TODAY has now compiled all of the interviews into a single video, which spans an hour in length, which you can watch here.
Lady Gaga Was Originally in Talks to Play Elphaba in the WICKED Film Photo
Lady Gaga Was Originally in Talks to Play Elphaba in the WICKED Film

Lady Gaga was originally in talks to take on the role of Elphaba in the Wicked film adaptation, which was originally set to be directed by Stephen Daldry. Learn more here!
Video: WICKED Stars Break Down Choreography in New Clip from NBC Special Photo
Video: WICKED Stars Break Down Choreography in New Clip from NBC Special

NBC has released a new clip from Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked, the behind-the-scenes special that aired on Tuesday. In the clip, film stars Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, and Marissa Bode discuss the movie's incredible choreography. Watch the clip here!
Video: WICKED Takes Over THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW Photo
Video: WICKED Takes Over THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW

It is opening week for the screen adaptation of Wicked and to celebrate the film's leading cast stopped by to take over The Kelly Clarkson show! Watch the video!
The Cleveland Orchestra Announces Cynthia Erivo, Two Movies For 2025 Blossom Music Fe Photo
The Cleveland Orchestra Announces Cynthia Erivo, Two Movies For 2025 Blossom Music Festival

The Cleveland Orchestra has announced three highlights of its 2025 Blossom Music Festival: An Evening with Cynthia Erivo, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and Disney's The Lion King
Review: Like Elphie, WICKED Film is Confident in Its Skin Photo
Review: Like Elphie, WICKED Film is Confident in Its Skin

NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED. While Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 'Evita' begins with Argentinians mourning the death of their beloved Eva Peron, the Ozians of the fictional Land of Oz in Stephen Schwartz’s 'Wicked' rejoice for the supposed death of their perceived nemesis, The Wicked Witch of the West,” in Broadway’s hit musical, now a monumental motion picture, helmed by Jon M. Chu.
Video: New WICKED Promo Unveils New Footage and Rave Reviews Photo
Video: New WICKED Promo Unveils New Footage and Rave Reviews

Wicked reviews are in and critics are raving about the blockbuster movie musical! A new promo is highlighting the abundant praise, with pull quotes commending Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jonathan Bailey for their performances. Watch the video now!
Feature: WICKED THE MOVIE at Harkins 101 Photo
Feature: WICKED THE MOVIE at Harkins 101

Written from the point of view of a theatre fan, guest contributor David Appleford provides a piece full of details and insights regarding the new film, WICKED, and how it compares to the stage musical.
WICKED Movie Now Tracking for $125M-$150M Million Opening Photo
WICKED Movie Now Tracking for $125M-$150M Million Opening

With only a few days away from Wicked's official theatrical opening, updated box office numbers have just been revealed. The film is looking to bring in somewhere between a whopping $125-$150 million, a number significantly up from a previous report less than a month ago.
Video: Cynthia Erivo Teaches Storytelling to Kids in CELEBRITY SUBSTITUTE Photo
Video: Cynthia Erivo Teaches Storytelling to Kids in CELEBRITY SUBSTITUTE

Ahead of Wicked, Cynthia Erivo is appearing in a new episode of Celebrity Subsitute. In this episode, Cynthia and host Julian Shapiro-Barnum visit a New York City public school to teach elementary students the importance of storytelling. Watch the episode now!
Video: WICKED Movie Gets Special JEOPARDY Category Photo
Video: WICKED Movie Gets Special JEOPARDY Category

Jeopardy contestants put their knowledge of Oz to the test as the Wicked film got its very own category on tonight's game. Watch the video and play along as director Jon M. Chu and stars Cythia Erivo and Ariana Grande quiz the players on the wonderful world of Wicked. 
Video: Kristin Chenoweth Honors Gavin Creel On THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW Photo
Video: Kristin Chenoweth Honors Gavin Creel On THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW

Stage and screen star Kristin Chenoweth stopped by The Kelly Clarkson Show as part of Kelly's new 'Cameo-oke' segment. See video of her performance of Dolly Parton's timeless love song, 'I Will Always Love You', dedicated to actor Gavin Creel.
Review Roundup: Is WICKED Part One Popular with Critics? Photo
Review Roundup: Is WICKED Part One Popular with Critics?

The Wicked movie is finally here! Reviews have begun to come in for Part One of the highly anticipated adaptation of the Broadway hit. Find out what critics think of the blockbuster event!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 19, 2024 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 19, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 19, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Cynthia Erivo been in?

Cynthia Erivo has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Cynthia Erivo been in?

Cynthia Erivo has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Cynthia Erivo's first West End show?

Cynthia Erivo's first West End show was I Can't Sing: The X Factor Musical which opened in 2014

What awards has Cynthia Erivo been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Color Purple, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Color Purple, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Color Purple, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Color Purple and Best Musical Performance (Evening Standard Awards) for The color Purple.

What awards has Cynthia Erivo won?

Cynthia Erivo has won the following awards: Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for The Color Purple, Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Color Purple, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for The Color Purple.

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