Cynthia Erivo Biography

Cynthia Erivo (born 8 January 1987) is a British actress, singer, and songwriter.

Erivo won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Celie in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. She performed the role in the 2013 Menier Chocolate Factory production as well. Erivo is also known for her performance as Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence in the U.K. tour of Sister Act.

Early life and education

Erivo was born to Nigerian immigrants in Stockwell, South London. She attended La Retraite R.C Girls School. Erivo began a music psychology degree at the University of East London, however a year into her degree, she applied and subsequently trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Career

Erivo first appeared in roles on British television programmes such as Chewing Gum and The Tunnel. Her first stage role was in Marine Parade by Simon Stephens at the Brighton Festival.

In 2013, Erivo played the role of Celie Harris in the Menier Chocolate Factory production of The Color Purple. Erivo had previously portrayed Sister Mary Clarence/Deloris Van Cartier in the UK tour of the musical stage version of Sister Act which Goldberg also originated in its film adaptation.

Erivo originated the role of Chenice in the West End musical I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical, which opened on 26 March 2014, at the London Palladium. The production closed on 10 May, just six weeks and three days since its official opening night.

She is also featured as a recording artist, co-writing and performing "Fly Before You Fall" on the soundtrack to the American musical drama Beyond the Lights.

She made her Broadway debut in the 2015 Broadway revival transfer of the Menier Chocolate Factory production of The Color Purple, reprising her role as Celie Harris alongside American actresses Jennifer Hudson as Shug Avery and Danielle Brooks as Sofia. The production began performances at Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, from 10 December 2015. Among other awards for her performance, Erivo won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Erivo starred as Cathy alongside Joshua Henry in a one-night benefit concert performance of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years on September 12, 2016. Proceeds from the performance went to the Brady Center, a national gun violence organization.

Personal life

Erivo is in a relationship with British actor Dean John-Wilson.

Theatre credits

Year(s)	Production	Role	Location	Category
2011-12	Sister Act	Deloris Van Cartier / Sister Mary Clarence		UK Tour
2013	Lift	Lap Dancer	Soho Theatre	Off-West End
	The Color Purple	Celie Harris Johnson	Menier Chocolate Factory	Off-West End
2014	I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical	Chenice	London Palladium	West End
2015-16	The Color Purple	Celie Harris Johnson	Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre	Broadway
2016	The Last Five Years	Cathy	The Town Hall	Brady Center Benefit Concert

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result
2016	Tony Award	Best Actress in a Musical	The Color Purple
	Drama Desk Award	Outstanding Actress in a Musical
	Drama League Award	Distinguished Performance
	Outer Critics Circle Award	Outstanding Actress in a Musical
	Theatre World Award