Cynthia Onyedinmanasu Chinasaokwu Erivo born January 8, 1987 is a British actress and singer who gained widespread recognition for her role in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple from 2015 to 2017. Her performance earned her multiple accolades, including the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Erivo made her film debut in 2018, starring in the heist movie Widows and the thriller Bad Times at the El Royale. In 2019, Erivo portrayed American abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the biographical film Harriet, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Cynthia Erivo Biography 2024
She also contributed to the film’s soundtrack, writing and performing the song “Stand Up,” which was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars. Erivo’s career continued to flourish as she starred as Elphaba in the 2024 film adaptation of the musical Wicked. Erivo’s television career began with a role in the British comedy series Chewing Gum (2015), followed by a leading role in the crime drama The Outsider (2020). She garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in Genius: Aretha (2021), earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress. In addition to her acting career, Erivo has released several singles and her debut solo album Ch. 1 Vs. 1 in 2021.
Cynthia Erivo Biography Details
| Born | 8 January 1987 (age 37) Stockwell, London, England |
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| Alma mater | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
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| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
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| Years active | 2010–present |
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| Awards | Full list |
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| Genres | - R&B
- soul
- urban contemporary
- gospel
- Broadway
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| Instrument | Vocals |
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| Website | www.cynthiaerivo.net |
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Cynthia Erivo Early Life
Born in Stockwell, South London, on January 8, 1987, Erivo is the daughter of Nigerian immigrant parents. Her parents separated when she was very young, and her mother, Edith, worked as a nurse. Erivo also has a sister named Nicolette. She attended La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls’ School in Clapham Park, where she began acting in roles such as in Brecht’s Caucasian Chalk Circle and later appeared on the television series Trust Me, I’m a Teenager.
Initially, Erivo began studying music psychology at the University of East London in 2004, but after a year, she decided to pursue acting and applied to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). She was accepted and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in acting in 2010.
Cynthia Erivo Career Beginnings and Theatrical Roles
Role | Production/Project |
Various | Marine Parade (Brighton Festival) |
Leila | I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky (Theatre Royal, Stratford East) |
Deloris Van Cartier / Sister Mary Clarence | Sister Act (UK Tour) |
Celie Harris Johnson | The Color Purple (Menier Chocolate Factory) |
Chenice | I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical (London Palladium) |
Dessa Rose | Dessa Rose (Trafalgar Studios) |
Poins/The Earl of Douglas | Henry IV (Donmar Warehouse, London) |
Rosemary Pilkington | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Royal Festival Hall) |
The Color Purple Broadway Success
Award | Details |
Tony Award | Best Actress in a Musical (2016) |
Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album (2016) |
Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program (2017) |
Performance Nominations | Daytime Emmy Award nomination (2017) |
Film Career
Role | Film/Project |
Darlene Sweet | Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) |
Belle | Widows (2018) |
Harriet Tubman | Harriet (2019) |
Hildy | Chaos Walking (2021) |
Janine Mikkelsen | Needle in a Timestack (2021) |
The Blue Fairy | Pinocchio (2022) |
Jacqueline | Drift (2023) |
Odette Raine | Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023) |
Music Career
Album/Project | Release Details |
Ch. 1 Vs. 1 | Released: 7 September 2021 |
Wicked: The Soundtrack | Scheduled for 22 November 2024 |
She is Risen, Vol. 2 | Released: 18 September 2020 |
Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Tompsett Sing Scott Alan | Released: 9 October 2015 |
Television Career
Role | Show/Project |
Magdalene | Chewing Gum (2015) |
Alberta Hunter | Mr. Selfridge (2016) |
Lisa | Broad City (2017–2019) |
Holly Gibney | The Outsider (2020) |
Aretha Franklin | Genius: Aretha (2021) |
Ambia | Roar (2022) |
Kratu | Star Wars: Visions (2023) |
Upcoming Projects
Role | Film/Project |
Elphaba | Wicked (2024) |
Elphaba | Wicked Part Two (2025) |
Julia | George Orwell’s 1984 (2024) |
Raylene Watts | Carrier (Film Adaptation) |
Jacqueline | Prima Facie (Film Adaptation) |
Awards and Nominations
Award | Category/Details |
Tony Award | Best Actress in a Musical (2016) |
Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album (2016) |
Golden Globe | Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (2019) |
Academy Award | Best Actress and Best Original Song (2020) |
Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress (2021) |
Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Musical Performance (2017) |
Personal Life
Fact | Details |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Sexuality | Queer and bisexual |
Alma Mater | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) |
Vice President | Appointed in 2024 |
Podcast Appearances
Role | Podcast |
Raylene Watts | Carrier (2019) |
Queen Malkia | The Two Princes (2019) |
Madame Moonshine | Hank the Cowdog (2020) |
Julia | George Orwell’s 1984 (2024) |
Theatre Credits
Role | Production |
Various | Marine Parade (Brighton Festival, 2010) |
Deloris Van Cartier | Sister Act (UK Tour, 2011–2012) |
Celie Harris Johnson | The Color Purple (Menier Chocolate Factory, 2013) |
Poins/The Earl of Douglas | Henry IV (Donmar Warehouse, 2014) |
Petra | A Little Night Music (Lincoln Center, 2024) |
Notable Collaborations
Collaborator | Project |
John Legend | Grammy Awards 2017 (Performance) |
Jodi DiPiazza | Night of Too Many Stars (Performance, 2017) |
Questlove and The Roots | Night of Too Many Stars (Performance, 2017) |
Michelle Yeoh | Wicked (2024 Film) |
Film and TV Roles Overview
Year | Title/Role |
2018 | Widows (Belle) |
2018 | Bad Times at the El Royale (Darlene Sweet) |
2019 | Harriet (Harriet Tubman) |
2021 | Chaos Walking (Hildy) |
2021 | Genius: Aretha (Aretha Franklin) |
2024 | Wicked (Elphaba) |
Cynthia Erivo Net Worth
Cynthia Erivo is a British actress, singer, and songwriter who has a net worth of $3 million.
Cynthia Erivo Summary
Cynthia Erivo is an extraordinary British actress and singer whose career spans across film, television, and theater. Her groundbreaking performances, such as in The Color Purple and Harriet, have earned her prestigious awards and nominations, including Tony and Academy Award nods. Beyond acting, Erivo has successfully ventured into music with her album Ch. 1 Vs. 1 and continues to inspire audiences through her advocacy for equality and her leadership in arts education. With her role in Wicked set to debut in 2024, Erivo’s influence in the entertainment industry shows no signs of slowing down.
