Cynthia Erivo is a renowned British actress, singer, and songwriter with a net worth of $5 million. She has made significant strides in her career, achieving notable success in theater, television, and film.
She is perhaps best known for her Tony Award-winning performance in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple and for her role as Harriet Tubman in the biographical film Harriet, for which she earned an Academy Award nomination.
With her versatility across various forms of entertainment, Cynthia has become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Education
Cynthia Erivo was born on January 8, 1987, in London, England, to Nigerian immigrant parents. She grew up in a supportive household with her sister, Nicolette.
She attended La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls’ School during her early years. For her higher education, she attended the University of East London but later transferred to the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where she graduated with a degree in acting in 2010.
Theater Career: From Stage to Stardom
Erivo began her career in theater, performing in various productions. Her first major stage role was in the 2010 premiere of Marine Parade at the Brighton Festival.
She followed that with performances in I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Sister Act, and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
The Color Purple and Breakthrough Performance
Cynthia’s breakthrough came when she played Celie Harris in the Menier Chocolate Factory production of The Color Purple in 2013.
Her performance earned widespread acclaim, and when the show transferred to Broadway in 2015, Erivo continued to play Celie, a role she made her own.
Her performance won her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, and she shared a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. She remained with the show until it closed in early 2017.
Return to the Stage
After a brief break from theater, Erivo returned to Broadway in 2024, starring in A Little Night Music at Lincoln Center. This return further solidified her status as one of the premier talents in musical theater.
Film Career: Expanding Her Horizons
Initial Film Roles
Erivo transitioned into film in 2018, appearing in Bad Times at the El Royale and Widows. These roles garnered significant attention, setting the stage for her future success in Hollywood.
Harriet and Critical Acclaim
In 2019, Cynthia Erivo starred as abolitionist Harriet Tubman in Harriet, a film that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
The role significantly raised her profile and solidified her as one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
Other Film Projects
Erivo continued to diversify her filmography with notable roles in films like Chaos Walking (2021), Needle in a Timestack (2021), and Disney’s live-action remake of Pinocchio (2022), where she played the Blue Fairy.
In 2023, Erivo starred in the drama Drift and the crime thriller Luther: The Fallen Sun, where she reprised her role from the popular television series Luther.
2024 saw her playing the iconic role of Elphaba in the first part of Wicked, marking her biggest box office hit to date.
Television Career: Expanding Her Reach
Early Appearances
Erivo made her television debut with guest roles on Chewing Gum (2015) and Mr Selfridge (2016), before landing more prominent roles in The Tunnel and Broad City.
Main Roles and Critical Acclaim
In 2020, Erivo starred as Holly Gibney in the HBO miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s The Outsider. She then portrayed the legendary Aretha Franklin in Genius: Aretha (2021), an anthology series that chronicles the lives of prominent historical figures.
Erivo’s voice work on animated shows such as Star Wars: Visions, Blue’s Clues & You!, and Strange Planet has also added to her versatility as an artist.
Music Career and Other Ventures
Musical Career
In addition to acting, Cynthia Erivo is also a talented singer and songwriter. She has released a studio album titled Ch. 1 Vs. 1, showcasing her vocal prowess.
Erivo also co-wrote and performed the song “Stand Up” for the 2019 film Harriet, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
Podcast Appearances
Beyond traditional media, Erivo has also appeared in podcasts, starring in projects like Carrier, The Two Princes, and Hank the Cowdog. These roles demonstrate her growing influence and ability to entertain across a variety of platforms.
