As the definition of poetry in motion, Cynthia Erivo never intended to dim her light when she was meant to be center stage. For the past decade, the soulful singer and actor has poured her mind, body and soul into every character she’s played, and as a result, is one of few artists nearing EGOT status.
First entering the cracks of show business as a child by having roles in Brecht’s Caucasian Chalk Circle and later appearing on television in Trust Me, I’m a Teenager, Erivo is the exact opposite of an overnight success. Rather, she put in her 10,000 hours long before becoming a household name. And, as an honoree for the EBONY Power 100 Gala, Erivo received the coveted EBONY Pathbreaker of the Year award to recognize her incredible achievements.
From Broadway to on-screen, let’s go down memory lane to celebrate Erivo’s rise to stardom.
2015: Celie in The Color Purple
From 2015-2017, Erivo dominated the stage as Celie in the Broadway musical revival of The Color Purple. With a breathtaking and iconic performance of “I’m Here” from the musical adaptation, Erivo’s emotional and awe-inspiring belts earned her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2016, amongst other honors for her role.
2018: Darlene Sweet in Bad Times at the El Royale
Playing the heart of the storyline, Erivo brought a sweetness to her role as Darlene Sweet in the 2018 film Bad Times at the El Royale. Persisting against impossible odds, Erivo’s character is a tenacious lounge singer who performed ’60s classics like “Hold On, I’m Comin” and “You Can’t Hurry Love” in the thriller that made her stand out among legends.
2019: Harriet Tubman in Harriet
With a captivating performance that is celebrated by both critics and audiences, Erivo’s representation of Harriet Tubman was a north star to viewers. Praised for her acting and powerful song “Stand Up,” Erivo’s endless list of nominations included a Golden Globe, Academy Award and two NAACP Image Awards. Rex Reed, a film critic from the New York Observer, wrote: “Cynthia Erivo’s valiant and committed performance is a wonderful achievement.”
2020: Holly Gibney in HBO’s The Outsider
Radiating with brilliance as Holly Gibney in the Stephen King HBO thriller series The Outsider, Erivo continued her reign of mass appeal. Garnering praise from both critics and audiences alike, Erivo acts as a private investigator and relies on her unusual abilities to solve a mysterious case. For her standout performance, the actress was nominated for both Critics Choice Super and Critics Choice Television Awards.
2021: Aretha Franklin in Genius
Destined to play the Queen of Soul, Erivo landed the lead role after singing a portion of Franklin’s hit record “Ain’t No Way” during a brief interview on the red carpet at the 2019 Tony Awards. With vocals on full display, Erivo graced our screens during the eight-episode mini-series released in 2021 on National Geographic.
2022: Blue Fairy in Pinocchio
Shining bright as the Blue Fairy in Disney’s live-action, CG-animated Pinocchio, the star acted as a magical and integral part of the story. Director Robert Zemeckis reached out to Erivo with the offer to play the Blue Fairy, the magical being who sings the classic song “When You Wish Upon a Star” and brings the little puppet Pinocchio to life.
2024: Elphaba in Wicked
In the highly anticipated movie adaptation of the book and award-winning Broadway Musical Wicked, Erivo is set to star as the mysteriously green Elphaba. With whimsical yet immeasurably significant promotional trailers and echoing hints of her voice, fans get a glimpse into Erivo’s wickedly breathtaking performance, which is sure to leave us speechless for ages.
