Cynthia Erivo is a British actress and singer who has won awards such as a Daytime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. She is one of the rare artists to be nominated for an EGOT.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Cynthia Onyedinamanasu Chinasaokwu Erivo |
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Stockwell, London, England |
| Nationality | British-Nigerian |
| Relationship Status | Dating |
| Professions | Actress, Singer, Songwriter |
| Net Worth | $3 – $5 million |
Early Life and Education
Born in Stockwell, London on January 8, 1987, Cynthia Erivo was raised by her Nigerian immigrant parents. Her mother, who fled the Nigerian Civil War, raised Erivo and her sister on her own.
Erivo attended La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls’ School and later studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 2010.
Career
Cynthia Erivo’s career in acting and singing began with roles in British television and stage productions. Notable performances include Sister Act and The Color Purple.
She gained international recognition for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in the film “Harriet,” receiving nominations for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. Erivo’s talents extend to producing and podcasting, showcasing her versatility in entertainment.
In 2020, Cynthia Erivo starred in The Outsider and launched her own production company, Edith’s Daughter. She also appeared in films like Chaos Walking and portrayed Aretha Franklin in Genius. Erivo released her debut album, Ch. 1 Vs. 1, in September.
She performed at the BBC Proms and the Grammy Awards in 2022 and played The Blue Fairy in the live-action adaptation of Pinocchio.
In 2023, she appeared in Luther: The Fallen Sun and Drift, drawing inspiration from her mother’s experiences. Erivo also starred in the Lincoln Center’s A Little Night Music and portrayed Elphaba in the film adaptation of Wicked in 2024.
Personal Life
Cynthia Erivo identifies as queer and bisexual and has been in several relationships. Currently, she is reportedly dating Lena Waithe, a producer and actress, since around 2020. Previously, Erivo was linked to British actor Dean John-Wilson (2013-2017) and actor Mario Martinez (2017-2019).
Cynthia Erivo Net Worth
Cynthia Erivo’s net worth is estimated to be around $3-5 million, with expectations of further increase due to her recent work in Wicked and other projects.
Filmography
Cynthia Erivo’s filmography includes:
Films:
- 2018
- Widows as Belle
- Bad Times at the El Royale as Darlene Sweet
- 2019
- Harriet as Harriet Tubman
- 2021
- Chaos Walking as Hildy
- Needle in a Timestack as Janine Mikkelsen
- 2022
- Pinocchio as The Blue Fairy
- 2023
- Drift as Jacqueline
- Luther: The Fallen Sun as Odette Raine
- 2024
- Wicked as Elphaba
- 2025
- Wicked: For Good (Post-production)
Television:
- The Outsider
- Genius: Aretha
Cynthia Erivo has made significant contributions to both film and television, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Discography
Cynthia Erivo’s discography includes:
Albums
- Solo Studio Albums
- Ch. 1 Vs. 1 (2021)
- Collaborative Albums
- Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Tompsett Sing Scott Alan (2016)
- Soundtrack Albums
- Wicked: The Soundtrack (2024, with the cast)
Extended Plays
- She Is Risen, Vol. 2 (2021, with various artists)
Singles
- “Fly Before You Fall” (2014)
- “Stand Up” (2019, from Harriet)
- “The Good” (2021, from Ch. 1 Vs. 1)
- “Glowing Up” (2021)
Erivo has also contributed to various soundtracks and collaborations throughout her career.
Awards and Nominations
Cynthia Erivo has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career:
Major Awards
- Tony Awards
- Won: Best Actress in a Musical (The Color Purple, 2016)
- Emmy Awards
- Won: Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program (The Color Purple, 2017)
- Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (Genius: Aretha, 2021)
- Grammy Awards
- Won: Best Musical Theater Album (The Color Purple, 2017)
Academy Awards
- Nominated: Best Actress (Harriet, 2020)
- Nominated: Best Original Song (“Stand Up,” Harriet, 2020)
Golden Globe Awards
- Nominated: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Wicked, 2025)
- Nominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series (Genius: Aretha, 2022)
Additional Recognitions
- BAFTA Rising Star Award (Nominated, 2019)
- Multiple nominations from Critics’ Choice and SAG Awards.
Overall, she has won 18 awards and received 58 nominations across various categories.
