History of Cynthia Erivo in Timeline
Cynthia Erivo is a British actress and singer celebrated for her achievements in both theater and film. A highly decorated performer, she has been nominated for an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award (EGOT) and has won all but the Oscar. Her talent spans acting and singing, making her a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
1966: Tribute to Dionne Warwick
In 2023, Cynthia 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.
January 1987: Cynthia Erivo's birth
On January 8, 1987, Cynthia Erivo was born in London, England. She is a British actress and singer known for stage and screen performances.
January 1987: Cynthia Erivo Born in London
On January 8, 1987, Cynthia Erivo was born to Nigerian immigrant parents in Stockwell, London, England.
2004: Started degree at University of East London
In 2004, Cynthia Erivo began a music psychology degree at the University of East London.
2010: Graduation from RADA
In 2010, Cynthia Erivo graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) with a bachelor's degree in acting.
2011: West End Debut
In 2011, Cynthia Erivo made her West End debut in the stage musical "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg".
December 2012: Performance in Living Every Day
On Sunday, December 9, 2012, Cynthia Erivo appeared in Alexander S. Bermange's and Stephen Clark's "Living Every Day", performed at The 24 Hour Musicals Celebrity Gala at the Old Vic in London’s West End.
2013: Role in The Color Purple at Menier Chocolate Factory
In 2013, Erivo played the role of Celie Harris in the Menier Chocolate Factory production of "The Color Purple".
March 2014: Starred in I Can't Sing!
On March 26, 2014, Cynthia Erivo originated the role of Chenice in the West End musical "I Can't Sing!" at the London Palladium, which garnered mixed reviews and closed after six weeks.
August 2014: Starred in Dessa Rose
From July to August 2014, Cynthia Erivo starred in the European premiere of Dessa Rose at London's Trafalgar Studios.
December 2015: Broadway Debut in The Color Purple Revival
On December 10, 2015, Cynthia Erivo made her Broadway debut in the revival transfer of "The Color Purple", reprising her role as Celie Harris at Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.
2015: Nominated for Best Leading Actress
In 2015, Cynthia Erivo was nominated as Best Leading Actress in a musical at the BroadwayWorld UK Awards for her role in Dessa Rose.
2015: Broadway Debut in The Color Purple
In 2015, Erivo made her Broadway debut playing Celie in the musical revival of "The Color Purple".
May 2016: Performance on The Today Show
In May 2016, Cynthia Erivo and the cast of "The Color Purple" performed on NBC's The Today Show.
September 2016: Starred in The Last Five Years benefit concert
On September 12, 2016, Cynthia Erivo starred as Cathy alongside Joshua Henry in a one-night benefit concert performance of Jason Robert Brown's "The Last Five Years".
2016: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical
In 2016, Cynthia Erivo won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in "The Color Purple".
2016: Tony Award for Best Actress
In 2016, Cynthia Erivo won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the Broadway revival of "The Color Purple".
February 2017: Performed at the Grammy Awards
In February 2017, at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, Erivo performed "God Only Knows" alongside John Legend, as a tribute to musicians who had died over the past year.
March 2017: Daytime Emmy Nomination
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 May 2016.
April 2017: Daytime Emmy Win
In April 2017, it was announced that Erivo and the cast of The Color Purple alongside The Today Show won the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Award in the Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program category.
November 2017: Appearance on Night of Too Many Stars
In November 2017, Cynthia Erivo appeared on the charity benefit Night of Too Many Stars, hosted by Jon Stewart, where she performed a duet with Jodi DiPiazza of the Andra Day hit "Rise Up".
2017: End of The Color Purple Broadway Run
In 2017, Erivo concluded her run as Celie in the musical revival of "The Color Purple" on Broadway. Her work in the production previously earned her a Tony Award, Grammy Award and a Daytime Emmy Award.
October 2018: Began Production of Harriet
In October 2018, production began for the film "Harriet", in which Cynthia Erivo portrayed the title role of Harriet Tubman.
2018: Film Debut and Starring in Widows
In 2018, Cynthia Erivo made her film debut in "Bad Times at the El Royale" and also starred in the Steve McQueen-directed heist thriller "Widows".
2018: Film Debut with Widows and Bad Times at the El Royale
In 2018, Erivo expanded her career into film with roles in the crime thrillers "Widows" and "Bad Times at the El Royale".
January 2019: Filming Completed for Harriet
In January 2019, filming was completed for the film "Harriet", starring Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman.
November 2019: Release of Harriet
On November 1, 2019, the biographical film "Harriet", starring Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman, was released.
2019: Produced and Starred in Carrier Podcast
In 2019, Cynthia Erivo produced and starred in the scripted science fiction thriller podcast "Carrier", voicing the lead role of Raylene Watts.
2019: Nomination for Academy Award for Best Actress for Harriet
In 2019, Erivo earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in "Harriet", as well as a nomination for Best Original Song for "Stand Up" from the film.
2020: Academy Award Nominations for Harriet
In 2020, Cynthia Erivo received two Academy Award nominations for her work in "Harriet": one for Best Actress for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman, and another for Best Original Song for "Stand Up".
2020: Starred in The Outsider and Launched Edith's Daughter
In 2020, Cynthia Erivo starred in the HBO miniseries "The Outsider" and launched her production company named Edith's Daughter, signing a deal with MRC.
2020: Portrayal of Holly Gibney in The Outsider
In 2020, Erivo portrayed Holly Gibney in the HBO crime drama miniseries "The Outsider".
March 2021: Release of Chaos Walking and Premiere of Genius: Aretha
In March 2021, Erivo appeared in the film "Chaos Walking" and portrayed Aretha Franklin in the third season of "Genius".
September 2021: Release of Ch. 1 Vs. 1 and Venice Film Festival Jury
In September 2021, Cynthia Erivo released her debut studio album, "Ch. 1 Vs. 1", and joined the jury of the 78th Venice International Film Festival.
2021: Portrayal of Aretha Franklin in Genius: Aretha
In 2021, Erivo portrayed Aretha Franklin in National Geographic's anthology series "Genius: Aretha"; the latter earned her a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award.
July 2022: Performed at BBC Proms
In July 2022, Cynthia Erivo performed as part of the BBC Proms, singing tributes to women who have inspired her.
2023: Appearances in Luther: The Fallen Sun and Drift
In 2023, Cynthia Erivo appeared in the Netflix crime thriller "Luther: The Fallen Sun" and portrayed Jacqueline in the film "Drift", drawing inspiration from her mother's experiences.
2024: Portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked and Nominations
In 2024, Cynthia Erivo portrayed Elphaba in the musical fantasy film "Wicked", receiving acclaim and nominations for Best Actress at the Golden Globes, British Academy Film Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Academy Awards.
2024: Starring as Elphaba in Wicked
In 2024, Cynthia Erivo starred as Elphaba in the film Wicked.
2024: Appointed Vice President of RADA
In 2024, Cynthia Erivo was appointed vice president of her alma mater, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
May 2025: Announcement of West End Return in Dracula
In May 2025, it was announced that Cynthia Erivo would return to the West End in a one-woman play adaptation of "Dracula", where she would play all 23 roles.
June 2025: Hosted the 78th Tony Awards
On June 8, 2025, Cynthia Erivo hosted the 78th Tony Awards, receiving positive reviews for her performance.
2025: Release of Second Solo Album
In 2025, Cynthia Erivo released her second solo album.
May 2026: Plays all 23 roles in Dracula
In May 2026, Cynthia Erivo will be playing all 23 roles in the one-woman play adaptation of "Dracula" at the Noël Coward Theatre for a limited 16-week engagement.
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