Who is Cynthia Erivo? Everything to know about the Wicked star
Cynthia Erivo is an English actress and singer known for her musical and theater roles. She recently starred as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West in the movie adaptation of Wicked, along with Ariana Grande, playing the role of Glinda. Jon M directed the 2024 film, which also starred Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Ethan Slater, among others.
Wicked is a film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical about the untold story of the Witches of Oz. The first part was released in November 2024, and the second is set to be released in 2025. The film is one of the most anticipated of the decade, and Erivo's Elphaba has garnered attention.
Cynthia Erivo revitalized the Broadway classic with her vocal and acting skills. Since beginning her career, she is known for her versatile Hollywood and international performer.
Cynthia Erivo has excelled in Broadway, television, and film beyond Wicked, including he Tony-winning role in The Color Purple and Oscar-nominated performance in Harriet.
All about Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo was born in South London to Nigerian parents on January 8, 1987. Known for her captivating musical and film roles, Erivo trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where she debuted in the Marine Parade at the 2010 Brighton Festival.
Her breakout role was Celie Harris in The Colour Purple on Broadway from 2015 to 2017. She won a Daytime Emmy, Tony, and Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album for the role. These awards moved her closer to becoming an EGOT, a prestigious title.
Her film roles in Harriet (2019) and Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023) were well-received. Offscreen, she identifies as queer and has shared her self-discovery, emphasizing authenticity in her personal and creative life.
Other aspects of Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo is also an accomplished musician and producer, who released her debut solo album, Ch. 1 Vs. 1, in 2021 She delivered memorable live performances, including a duet of God Only Knows with John Legend at the Grammys. In her role as Elphaba, she brings her vocal prowess to iconic songs like Defying Gravity. She also has a production company, Edith's Daughter, which has teamed up with Universal Pictures.
With a net worth of $3 million as of 2024, Erivo remains an influential figure in entertainment. Her bond with co-star Ariana Grande during Wicked filming exemplifies her warmth and collaborative spirit.
In what roles has Cynthia Erivo appeared on screen?
Cynthia has played versatile roles in TV and films. She has worked in TV shows like Chewing Gum, Mr. Selfridge, The Tunnel, and Broad City. Apart from these shows, she was also a part of The Boss Baby: Back in Business, Anthem: Homunculus, and Sunny Day.
She was a part of the following shows:
- The Outsider
- James and the Giant Peach with Taika and Friends
- Genius
- Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock
- Roar
- Star Wars: Visions
- Blue’s Clues & You!
- Strange Planet
- Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Cynthia has been a part of several movies as well, including Widows, Bad Times at the El Royale, Harriet, Chaos Walking, and Needle in a Timestack, Other films she was a part of include Pinocchio, Drift, Luther: The Fallen Sun, and the latest Wicked: Part One.
Wicked is currently running in theaters.
