Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo is a British singer, songwriter and actor whose work spans solo soul and R&B records, Broadway’s The Color Purple and Elphaba in the Wicked films.
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Latest
Cynthia’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Universal Pictures
Verve / Republic
Broadway cast recording
Focus Features
West End
Flatiron BooksOverview
- Born
- 8 January 1987, London, England
- Work
- Singer, songwriter, actor, author and producer
- Training
- Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, class of 2010
- Breakout
- Celie in The Color Purple, in London in 2013 and on Broadway in 2015
Mini bio
How it started.
Cynthia grew up in Stockwell, south London, with Nigerian parents. She began studying music psychology at the University of East London before moving to RADA, graduating in 2010. Early stage work included The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and the UK tour of Sister Act.
Finding Celie.
She played Celie in The Color Purple at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory in 2013, then brought the role to Broadway in 2015. The performance won her the 2016 Tony for leading actress in a musical. The cast recording and a cast appearance on TODAY also brought Grammy and Daytime Emmy wins.
Songs and screen stories.
In Harriet, she played Harriet Tubman and co-wrote and performed Stand Up. Both the performance and the song earned Oscar nominations. She later portrayed Aretha Franklin in Genius: Aretha and Elphaba in the Wicked films, while developing her own records, including Ch. 1 Vs. 1 and I Forgive You.
In her own words.
I Forgive You gives fans a more personal way into her songwriting, with songs about relationships, vulnerability and starting again. Her book Simply More explores life lessons and making room for the fullest version of yourself.
Creditschronological, newest first
Music
- 2026Christmas With Cynthia ErivoSinger
- 2026If I Only Had a BrainFeatured vocalist with Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
- 2025I Forgive YouSinger and co-writer on all 20 tracks
- 2021Ch. 1 Vs. 1Debut studio album
- 2019Stand UpSinger and co-writer, Harriet
Stage
- 2026DraculaPerformer, all 23 roles
- 2025Jesus Christ SuperstarJesus
- 2015–2017The Color PurpleCelie, Broadway revival
Film & TV
- 2026Prima FacieTessa
- 2026Saturday Night Live UKHost, October 24 episode
- 2025Wicked: For GoodElphaba
- 2024WickedElphaba
- 2021Genius: ArethaAretha Franklin
- 2019HarrietHarriet Tubman
Books
- 2025Simply MoreAuthor
- 2021Remember to Dream, EbereAuthor; illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
Awards
- 2026 Grammy AwardBest Pop Duo/Group Performance, Defying Gravity, with Ariana Grande.
- 2017 Grammy AwardBest Musical Theater Album, The Color Purple, shared with the cast and recording team.
- 2017 Daytime Emmy AwardOutstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program, with The Color Purple cast on TODAY.
- 2016 Tony AwardBest Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, The Color Purple.
Quotes
Everything you hear in there is real and tangible.Cynthia Erivo, The Associated Press
In a June 2025 interview about I Forgive You, she explained that the instruments on the album were performed live.
Trivia
- She is RADA’s Vice-President, a role she took on in February 2024.
- Her first children’s book, Remember to Dream, Ebere, pairs her story with illustrations by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow.
- She launched the production company Edith’s Daughter in August 2020.
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