(BPRW) Black PR Wire’s January Power Profiler: Cynthia Erivo
(Black PR Wire) Cynthia Erivo is an English actress, singer, and songwriter known for her powerful performances on stage and screen. She has earned numerous accolades, including a Daytime Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony Award, along with nominations for two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, a Primetime Emmy, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Born in Stockwell, London, to Nigerian immigrant parents, Erivo began her acting career in 2011 with a stage production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. She gained widespread recognition for her role in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple (2015–2017), earning a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album.
In 2018, Erivo transitioned to film with standout roles in Widows and Bad Times at the El Royale. Her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in the 2019 biopic Harriet garnered two Academy Award nominations: Best Actress and Best Original Song for co-writing and performing the movie’s lead track, “Stand Up.” She continued to expand her filmography, appearing as the Blue Fairy in Disney’s live-action Pinocchio (2022), directed by Robert Zemeckis, and starring opposite Idris Elba in Netflix’s Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023).
On television, Erivo made her debut in the British series Chewing Gum (2015). She later starred in the crime drama miniseries The Outsider (2020) and earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in Genius: Aretha (2021), part of National Geographic’s anthology series.
Most recently, Erivo starred as Elphaba in Universal’s highly anticipated film adaptation of the hit musical Wicked, directed by John M. Chu. The film set records for the highest opening for a musical adaptation, and Erivo has earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical/Comedy for her performance. The Golden Globes ceremony will be celebrated on January 5, 2025.
Beyond acting, Erivo is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer, frequently headlining sold-out shows and prestigious events, including the Kennedy Center Honors, the 2020 Academy Awards, the 2017 Governor’s Ball and the 2017 Grammy Awards. She released her debut album, Ch. 1 Vs. 1, with Verve/Universal Music Group on September 17, 2021.
Erivo is also an author, releasing her first children’s book, Remember to Dream, Ebere, on September 28, 2021. The book, inspired by her Nigerian heritage, encourages children to dream big and celebrates the bond between parent and child.
In 2024, Erivo was appointed vice president of her alma mater, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, solidifying her role as a mentor and leader in the arts community.
The content and opinions expressed within this press release are those of the author(s) and/or represented companies, and are not necessarily shared by Black PR Wire. The author(s) and/or represented companies are solely responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the content of this Press release. Black PR Wire reserves the right to reject a press release if, in the view of Black PR Wire, the content of the release is unsuitable for distribution.
