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Cynthia Erivo. Photo by wbls1075nyc-

Top 10 Facts About Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo is an English singer, actress, and songwriter. She is recognized for her role in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. Since then, she has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and stage production. In addition, she is a singer and songwriter who has produced award-winning songs.

As a multi-talented artist, Erivo has influenced the acting and music industry. She continues to represent women of color in the entertainment industry in her work on new projects. In the years to come, we expect to see amazing projects from her.

Let’s explore the top 10 facts about Cynthia Erivo.

1. Cynthia Erivo Was Born to Nigerian Parents

She was born to Nigerian parents on January 8, 1987, in Stockwell, London. His father died when she was young, and he was a nurse. Also, her mother is a nurse. For her education, Erivo attended La Retraite Roman Catholic Girl’s School.

Erivo wanted to become a spinal surgeon, but her mother encouraged her to sing and began a music psychology degree at the University of East London. A year into her degree, she applied to and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, shifting her focus to acting.

2. Erivo Rose to Fame for Her Celie Role in The Color Purple

Cynthia Erivo in an interview. Photo by MTV UK-

Erivo debuted in the 2015 Broadway revival of The Color Purple with a role as Celie. For her performance in the musical, she won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

In 2017 Erivo and the cast of The Color Purple were nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award. In April 2017, The Color Purple and The Today Show cast won the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Award in the Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program Category.

Check out: 15 Talented Black British Actors

3. She Has been Featured in Numerous Films

Erivo began her acting career in 2011 at stage production, and her breakthrough role came in 2018, featuring in the first film ever, Widows. Her most notable film role is in 2019 Harriet, a biographic film.

She has been featured in several television shows, including, American Idol (2020), The Outsider (2020), Chewing Gum (2015), The Tunnel and Genius: Aretha, where she portrayed singer, Aretha Franklin.

Additionally, Erivo appeared in the stage production, including The Color Purple, Sister Act, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Henry IV.

4. Erivo is a Talented Singer

Erivo is a talented singer with unique and powerful vocals. Her music career began by performing in various London’s West End musicals and later released amazing singles and albums.

She released her first album in 2015, Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Tompsett Sing Scott Alan. The album features cover of songs by composer Scott Alan and duets with Oliver Tompsett. In 2021, Erivo released two songs titled The Good and Glowing Up to promote her debut studio album, Ch. 1 Vs. 1.

Some of her hit songs include Stand Up, Fly Before You Fall, and God Only Knows. Additionally, she won Grammy Awards for Best Musical Theater Album for her work on The Color Purple cast recording.

Also read: Top 10 British Musicians and Singers

5. She Performed at the BBC Proms in 2022

Cynthia Erivo. Photo by Rhododendrites-

Erivo performed at the BBC Proms on July 17, 2022, offering a tribute to those legendary singers who have inspired her music career, such as Gladys Knight, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and Shirley Bassey.

6. Erivo is a Songwriter

Erivo has a growing number of skills, including songwriting, acting, and singing. Director Kasi Lemmons thought a tune for the closing credits of the biopic Harriet would be appropriate. Joshuah Brian Campbell had already composed a unique composition, but it needed something for the music and lyrics to rock the house.

 Erivo, who plays the protagonist in the movie, had some original ideas and enquired about working with Campbell to rewrite the song. Erivo and Campbell created the gospel song Stand Up, a tribute to Harriet Tubman and an uplifting call to liberation. Erivo performed “Stand Up” for the movie, giving the music a voice in more ways than one.

7. Erivo Produced and Starred in a Podcast

Cynthia Erivo. Photo by wbls1075nyc-

Erivo has contributed her beautiful vocals to podcasts. The actress collaborated with Qcode Media on the drama series Carrier in 2019, acting as its co-producer and lead voice actor. Erivo provides the voice of Raylene “Ray” Watts, a truck driver charged with carrying an unknown cargo, in this seven-episode serialized thriller. 

Ray must battle her inner demons and those in the trailer she is towing during the protracted trip. Carrier has received praise for its narrative, sound design, and Erivo’s acting, demonstrating that audio drama still has a place in the current entertainment landscape.

8. Erivo Has Amassed Several Accolades

Erivo has received several accolades, and she has won a Grammy Award, Tony Award, and Emmy Award. From the stage production The Color Purple soundtrack, she won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2017.

After gaining national fame for her role in Harriet, the film gave her several accolades, including a nomination at the Academy Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. She was also nominated to the Critic’s Choice Television Awards, Critic’s Choice Super Awards, and many others

9. Cynthia Erivo’s zodiac sign is Capricorn

Cynthia Erivo in an interview. Photo by MTV UK-

Cynthia Erivo was born on January 8, 1987; her zodiac sign is Capricorn. The dates of Capricorn are December 22 – January 19. Those born under the Capricorn zodiac sign are talented at using their intelligence and ambition to practical matters.

Stability and order are important to them, making them good organizers. They are determined, disciplined, responsible, driven, patient, strategic, and persistent. On the other hand, they can also becynical, fearful, ruthless, pessimistic, greedy,, and rigid.

10. Erivo is an Active Philanthropist

In addition, she is known for her philanthropic activities. Erivo put together a fundraiser for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund in 2020 and raised over $100,000 for the organization to help protect the rights of marginalized communities in the US.

She has also supported organizations that fight against racial injustice, including Time’s Up and Black Lives Matter. She has also endorsed Broadways Cares/Equity Fights AIDS based in New York, which is involved in helping people living with HIV/AIDS.