Cynthia Erivo is a highly acclaimed British actress and singer recognized for her exceptional talent across various entertainment mediums. Her accomplishments include a Daytime Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award, in addition to BAFTA, Oscar, and Golden Globe nominations. Erivo is celebrated for her versatility and is notably among the few artists to achieve EGOT nomination recognition, signifying her impact on television, music, and theater.
In 2023, Erivo paid tribute to Dionne Warwick at the Kennedy Center Honors where she sang a rendition of "Alfie" from the 1966 film of the same name.
In January 1987, Cynthia Chinasaokwu Onyedinmanasu Amarachukwu Owezuke Echimino Erivo was born. She would later become a British actress and singer known for her work in theater and film.
In January 1987, Cynthia Erivo was born in Stockwell, London, England, to Nigerian immigrant parents.
In 2004, Erivo began a music psychology degree at the University of East London.
In 2010, Erivo graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) with a bachelor's degree in acting.
In 2011, Erivo made her West End debut in the stage musical "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg".
On Sunday, December 9, 2012, Cynthia Erivo appeared in Alexander S. Bermange's and Stephen Clark's "Living Every Day", performed at the Old Vic in London’s West End.
In 2013, Erivo played the role of Celie Harris in the Menier Chocolate Factory production of "The Color Purple".
In March 2014, Erivo originated the role of Chenice in the West End musical "I Can't Sing!", which opened at the London Palladium.
From July to August 2014, Erivo starred in the European premiere of "Dessa Rose" at London's Trafalgar Studios.
In December 2015, Erivo made her Broadway debut in the revival transfer of "The Color Purple", reprising her role as Celie Harris.
In 2015, Erivo made her Broadway debut playing Celie in the musical revival of "The Color Purple".
In 2015, Erivo was nominated as Best Leading Actress in a musical at the BroadwayWorld UK Awards for her role in "Dessa Rose".
In May 2016, Erivo and the cast of "The Color Purple" performed on NBC's "The Today Show".
On September 12, 2016, Erivo starred as Cathy in a one-night benefit concert performance of Jason Robert Brown's "The Last Five Years".
In 2016, Erivo won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for The Color Purple.
In 2016, Erivo won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in "The Color Purple".
In 2016, Erivo won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in "The Color Purple".
In February 2017, at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, Erivo performed "God Only Knows" alongside John Legend as a tribute to deceased musicians.
In March 2017, Erivo and the cast of "The Color Purple" were nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for their performance on NBC's "The Today Show".
In April 2017, Erivo and the cast of "The Color Purple" alongside "The Today Show" won the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program.
In November 2017, Erivo appeared on the charity benefit "Night of Too Many Stars", performing a duet with Jodi DiPiazza.
In 2017, Erivo won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, both for The Color Purple.
In 2017, Erivo won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for "The Color Purple".
In October 2018, production began for the film "Harriet", in which Erivo portrayed Harriet Tubman.
In 2018, Erivo expanded her career to films with roles in the crime films "Widows" and "Bad Times at the El Royale".
In 2018, Erivo made her film debut in the neo-noir thriller film "Bad Times at the El Royale" and also starred in "Widows".
In January 2019, filming was completed for "Harriet", a film about Harriet Tubman starring Erivo.
On November 1, 2019, the film "Harriet", starring Erivo as Harriet Tubman, was released.
In 2019, Erivo portrayed Harriet Tubman in the biopic "Harriet", receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She also co-wrote and performed the song "Stand Up" for the film, earning a nomination for Best Original Song.
In 2019, Erivo produced and starred in the scripted science fiction thriller podcast "Carrier".
Erivo was previously nominated in 2020 for her performance in "Harriet".
In 2020, Erivo received two Academy Award nominations for her work in "Harriet": Best Actress and Best Original Song for "Stand Up".
In 2020, Erivo starred in "The Outsider" and launched her production company, Edith's Daughter.
In 2020, she played Holly Gibney in the HBO crime drama miniseries "The Outsider".
In March 2021, Erivo appeared in "Chaos Walking" and portrayed Aretha Franklin in "Genius: Aretha".
In September 2021, Erivo released her debut studio album, "Ch. 1 Vs. 1" and joined the jury of the 78th Venice International Film Festival.
In 2021, Erivo played Aretha Franklin in National Geographic's "Genius: Aretha", earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. She also released her solo album "Ch. 1 Vs. 1".
In July 2022, Erivo performed as part of the BBC Proms, singing tributes to women who have inspired her.
In 2023, she appeared in the Netflix crime thriller "Luther: The Fallen Sun" and portrayed Jacqueline in the film "Drift".
In 2024, Erivo played Elphaba in the musical fantasy film "Wicked", receiving nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress.
In 2024, Erivo portrayed Elphaba in "Wicked", earning critical acclaim and receiving nominations for Best Actress at the Golden Globes, British Academy Film Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Academy Awards. In 2024 the Academy Award nomination made her the second black actress to have been nominated for Best Actress more than once.
In 2024, Erivo was appointed vice president of her alma mater, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.