Cynthia Erivo is an English actress/singer/songwriter.
She began acting in the 2011 stage production of ‘The Umbrellas of Cherbourg’, and had her first screen role in 2015 in the British television series, ‘Chewing Gum’. Cynthia gained recognition for starring in the Broadway revival of ‘The Colour Purple’ from 2015 to 2017, for which she won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, among others. She made her debut in the film industry, starring as part of a seven-actor ensemble of Drew Goddard's, ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’, and also Steve McQueen’s, ‘Widows’ alongside Viola Davis. Erivo portrayed the title role in ‘Harriet’, a biographical film about American abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Her performance earned her multiple award nominations, including; Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture–Drama, Best Original Song for a song she co-wrote and performed for the film entitled "Stand Up", and two Academy Awards–one for Best Actress for her portrayal of Tubman and the other for Best Original Song for "Stand Up". Next up, Cynthia is set to play Aretha in the National Geographic series, ‘Genius: Aretha’
CDX Session
Clara Amfo speaks to Cynthia Erivo
18.00 - 18.30, 28 July 2020
