‘I am not OK!’ Cynthia Erivo breaks down in tears as she surprises shocked students during a Wicked performance at her old school

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Cynthia Erivo, currently promoting the upcoming movie Wicked: For Good, made a special visit this week to her old school to surprise the students.

The famous actor surprised students at La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls’ School in London by joining their performance and singing a song with them.

Cynthia was overcome with emotion and started crying when Greg James and the Radio 1 team surprised her with a performance of “For Good” by a group of teenage girls.

She said returning to her high school, where she used to perform in plays, felt ‘very overwhelming.’

She said returning to the school after more than 20 years and hearing the students sing was a truly lovely experience. ‘You’ve all done so well,’ she added, ‘it’s wonderful to be back here with you all.’

With a voice filled with emotion, Cynthia shared with the students, who were also clearly moved, ‘It means so much to hear that, but I’m really not doing well.’

The star then took questions from the teenagers, giving them advice to ‘pursue what you love.’ 

I remember being exactly where you all are now. I was so lucky to have some amazing teachers who really took the time to help and guide me. What I learned is, don’t be scared to have big dreams, and definitely don’t shy away from putting in the effort to make them happen. That’s what got me where I am today.

When a fan asked Cynthia when she decided to pursue performing as a career, she explained that she knew from the age of five. She had an innate understanding of singing, the joy of connecting with an audience, and the feeling of performing – and that passion never faded.

I’ll never forget being five years old and somehow getting picked to sing ‘Silent Night’ at our nativity play! It was so strange – I was just one of the shepherds, so I have no idea why they asked me to sing, but I did! It’s a really fond memory.

Seeing how people responded was really uplifting, and it felt great knowing I could bring a little happiness to them.

Cynthia was born in south London to Nigerian parents who had fled the aftermath of the Biafran war.

Cynthia and her sister Stephanie experienced their parents’ divorce at a young age. Later, when Cynthia was sixteen, her father cut off all contact with both of them – he did so publicly at a train station.

It still gets me, thinking about our last conversation. He just… said it so plainly. ‘This will be the last time I ever see you,’ he told me, and that was it. It was so sudden, so final. As someone who really admired him, it’s a moment that’s stuck with me, especially now that he’s being celebrated as a GQ Man of the Year – it feels bittersweet.

‘I just didn’t see it coming. I guess you wouldn’t, would you?’ 

The actress lost touch with her father and doesn’t know anything about his life – not his job, who he was close to, or what he believed in.

She doesn’t have his contact information, but Erivo says she’s constantly reminded of him. Whenever she looks in the mirror or sees a photo of herself, she notices they share similar facial features, especially a noticeable gap between their front teeth.

‘It’s a supreme joke,’ she told GQ. ‘It’s a joke from the universe to remind me how human I am. 

I grew up listening to him – he had a really beautiful voice. I think that’s actually where I get my own voice from, which is a bit strange and frustrating to realize, but I’ve accepted it. It just is what it is.

‘It’s what the universe does. This is the lemon. Make lemonade.’ 

Cynthia was raised by her mother, Edith, a nurse. She later honored Edith’s dedication as a single parent by naming her production company after her.

Honestly, I always knew Cynthia was special, but it was at her Catholic school – that all-girls place – where everything really clicked. Their music department was amazing, and that’s where she finally discovered just how incredible her voice was. I mean, I’d heard her hum before, but there? That’s where she truly found her gift, and I was instantly obsessed!

The highly anticipated film Wicked: For Good arrives in theaters globally this week, following the massive success of the first movie a year ago.

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2025-11-19 13:33