Movies

What Cynthia Erivo is doing on her (very short) break from ‘Wicked’

BBG News

On a recent afternoon, Cynthia Erivo ponders her shoe selection from the previous night, seated within a Century City recording studio.

As a dedicated admirer, I’m thrilled to share that the remarkable British artist, who’s on the verge of achieving EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) status with her versatile work in music, film, TV, and theater, has just come back from Houston. In this vibrant city, she graced us with her captivating performances alongside their symphony orchestra. The event showcased her enchanting renditions of iconic songs by artists like Nina Simone, Etta James, Tina Turner, and Ann Peebles.

She mentions that going to concerts is one of her most enjoyable activities, and this year, she’ll be taking a version of it to various cities throughout the country. “As for my appearance,” she adds, “I take care of my own makeup and styling. All I need is whatever I personally bring along.

38-year-old Cynthia Erivo is highly respected in the world of musical theater, earning this status mainly due to her portrayal of Elphaba, the green-skinned character, in the hit movie adaptation of “Wicked,” particularly for her powerful rendition of “Defying Gravity” in Part 1. The sequel, featuring Ariana Grande as Glinda and depicting their lives before the story of “The Wizard of Oz,” is set to release in November. On Sunday evening in New York, Erivo will be the host for the 78th Tony Awards, marking nine years since she won the leading actress in a musical award for her first Broadway performance as Celie in “The Color Purple.

For performances similar to the one in Houston, Erivo strives for a more casual, impromptu feel, with a slightly subdued intensity.

×

Regarding the previous concert, she remembers, “Halfway through, I removed my shoes.” She chuckles, “I said, ‘Excuse me,’ before doing so, then wondered if I should just continue without them.” She finds, “Sometimes you desire the appearance and the high heels, and it feels comfortable. I’m accustomed to wearing heels. But at other times, you simply want to feel a connection.

The essence permeates Cynthia Erivo’s upcoming solo album titled “I Forgive You,” which releases this Friday. Compared to the thunderous performances she’s renowned for, this LP explores a softer, more intimate side of her artistry. It delves into the complexities of love and intimacy – from initial flirtations, through promises, to heartbreaks and reconciliations – expressed in songs that prioritize emotional authenticity over musical grandeur.

Says Erivo: “You can only do so many 11 o’clock numbers, you know what I mean?”

The song “I Forgive You” is a soulful return to her musical roots for Cynthia Erivo, who has often spoken of her love for soul music prior to her career in musical theater. Among the artists she admires are Marvin Gaye, Musiq Soulchild, Roberta Flack, and Brandy, particularly Brandy’s 1998 album “Never Say Never,” which she highlights for its advanced concepts on harmony. This was an influential album for Erivo as it was released when she was just 11 years old.

Cynthia Erivo passionately studies R&B’s rich history and skillfully analyzes what sets the classics apart; she can discuss in great detail the intricacies of Flack’s compositions and the unique shifts in Aretha Franklin’s “Day Dreaming” (a role she played in Season 3 of National Geographic’s “Genius” series). Her extensive knowledge and ability have earned her a regular presence at the Kennedy Center Honors, where she has paid heartfelt tributes to musical legends such as Dionne Warwick and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Music

On Monday, the multiple Grammy-winning musician and pianist passed away at the age of 88. Here are some of her most significant compositions.

Monday marked the passing of the renowned singer and pianist who won numerous Grammys, at the age of 88. Below is a selection of her most crucial works.

Even though she may appear to be simply reinvigorating old ideas: As a creative mind in music, she’s constantly finding new ways to personalize the distinctive features of a tradition; as a queer Black woman, she consistently challenges who these traditions are intended to include and accommodate.

According to Gustavo Dudamel, the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cynthia possesses something truly extraordinary. He describes her as more than just a voice; rather, she is a storyteller who feels every note deeply, making her a unique presence. In April, Dudamel extended an invitation to Erivo to collaborate with the L.A. Phil at Coachella. There, she delivered a soulful rendition of Prince’s “Purple Rain” that felt like it originated from a church setting.

In every task she undertakes, she infuses a remarkable genuine quality, selflessness, and passion, making it seem as though she dwells within the very rhythm of the music,” Dudamel remarks.

At the Grammy Awards in February, Erivo performed “Fly Me to the Moon” accompanied by Herbie Hancock on piano. This was a tribute to the late Quincy Jones, who had arranged Frank Sinatra’s iconic 1964 version of the jazz standard and showed off his unique style during the performance.

She reminisces, lounging on a sofa in the studio’s control room while wearing a flowing skirt with high slits and revealing her tattooed legs. Her distinctive nails tapping together as she expresses herself through hand gestures. “They asked if I could perform it, to which I responded, ‘I can, but I’m not Frank,'” she says. “Frank delivered ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ in his unique style, so I had to find my own way. I inquired, ‘Can we incorporate elements like rubato, pianissimo, glissando – all of that – to truly improvise and bring the music to life?’

After some persuasion, they agreed to give it to me,” she explains. This led to a breathtakingly delicate reinterpretation of the tune – a captivating duet between Erivo and Hancock that seemed more like a heartfelt dialogue.

After I stepped out among the crowd later on, I ran into Beyoncé, and she remarked, “You’re like an alien, and I find that fascinating.” (Erivo smiles, recalling the moment)

×

Born to Nigerian parents and raised in London, Erivo honed her acting skills at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After completing her studies in 2010, she appeared in numerous theater productions across the U.K. Her career took off in 2013 when she was chosen for the revival of “The Color Purple” in London, which later moved to Broadway. In 2019, Erivo received an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in Kasi Lemmons’ biopic; she also earned a second nomination for her role as Elphaba in “Wicked.

During her breaks from filming “Wicked”, Cynthia Erivo primarily recorded her latest album in this very studio. She would often spend time here with her producer, Will Wells, constructing what she refers to as a “vocal pad” using around 20-30 layered versions of herself. Enya served as a significant influence for this process, according to Erivo herself. After establishing the mood with what they had created, she would compose a melody and lyrics that fit the atmosphere.

She admits with a hint of humor, “Perhaps there’s a slightly unconventional side to me that comes out when I tackle two tasks at once, given the urgency of the first.” However, she feels invigorated by embarking on ‘Wicked’, which seems to have sparked her creative spirit. She explains, “Everything else I do after that is fueled by this creativity.

Certainly, alongside “I Forgive You” and the Tonys, Erivo is also gearing up for another exciting endeavor: In August, she’ll portray Jesus Christ (a rather amusing sentence, she chuckles) in a production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl. Adam Lambert will join her as Judas Iscariot.

She comments on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera from the early ’70s depicting Jesus’ last days: ‘I found it intriguing – a fresh approach to utilize my voice.’ She clarifies, ‘I don’t plan to alter any ‘he’s’ to ‘she’s’. My aim is to narrate the story as truthfully as I can. However, the music sometimes feels less like…'”

She’s looking for the perfect words to describe Lloyd Webber’s work, encompassing hits such as “Cats,” “Evita,” and “The Phantom of the Opera.

She admits, “I’m going to be honest: It isn’t strictly associated with Black culture.” However, she believes this is due to the way it has been traditionally portrayed. If you truly pay attention to some of it …

Erivo then begins singing a few lines from “Memory,” a well-known song from “Cats.” As she sings, she modifies the notes and adds small vocal embellishments. “This could be a stretch,” she says, “but it somewhat resembles Toni Braxton’s style.” She explains, “It depends on who is singing it and what they perceive in the music.

Previously a finalist on “American Idol”, Lambert – now a multi-faceted artist in music, theater, and TV – recalls that when “Jesus Christ Superstar” initially debuted, its rock genre sparked controversy as it was an unconventional musical style for a religious narrative.

He remarks, “It irritated many people,” but by 2025, rock music will no longer be seen as a challenge or transgressive. However, the notion of challenging conventional perceptions of an icon by casting someone like Cynthia is, in my opinion, exceptionally clever.

Erivo shares a similar perspective on her unique appearance that has become even more distinct and potentially stirring with her rising fame. When asked about her fashion role models, she cites Skin, the lead singer of the British rock band Skunk Anansie, as her inspiration.

Speaking about Skin from the iconic Skunk Anansie cover, I find myself captivated by her bold claim of carving out her unique space and owning it. Her striking image, with camo pants, a shaved head, is undeniably in-your-face, and I believe that’s what truly draws me in.

Though I’ve experienced warmth and acceptance from Black women in Hollywood, there are straight white men who may be unsure of how to respond to a confident, bald Black woman adorned with piercings. A chuckle escapes me as I reflect on these moments.

She explains, “However, this isn’t intended for a male viewer’s perspective. In fact, I believe it’s not meant for any observer. It’s about me; that’s where I begin.

Actress Cynthia Erivo, who’s in a very private romantic relationship with filmmaker Lena Waithe, has become nearly impossible to avoid in popular culture, as she made waves during the extensive press tour for “Wicked.” This film, earning over $750 million globally, now holds the record as the highest-grossing adaptation of a musical ever produced on the big screen.

Is she, as she prepares for the promotion of her second movie, already feeling a bit tired from the upcoming interviews, red carpet events, and handshaking?

As a film enthusiast, I’m not drained with anticipation due to uncertainty about our next move. Instead, I find myself tentatively thrilled by the possibilities of what we could create, what unique elements we might introduce, and how it will all feel. It has to be different because this movie is unlike anything we’ve done before.

Review

In the court of R&B royalty with Chaka, Patti, Gladys and Stephanie

On Sunday evening’s show in Inglewood, the unexpected presence of Stevie Wonder graced the stage as he assembled four influential queens of R&B music.

Reflecting on the widely-shared “holding space” meme that originated from a conversation between Erivo and Grande with a reporter from Out magazine, Erivo explains why it took off: “It’s amazing because we’re in three distinct locations, yet we’re each having our individual experiences at the same time.

For the majority of the time, she and Grande found it surprising how captivated people were by us as a duo, she explains. “We were essentially continuing our usual activities during the filming. You see, we’d already spent a significant amount of time together. When you spend that much time with someone, either you develop feelings for them or you start to dislike them. Somehow, we ended up developing affection for each other instead.

In her own words, Cynthia Erivo found Grande’s opinion invaluable when putting together “I Forgive You.” According to Erivo, Grande is one of the sharpest producers and songwriters around, possessing exceptional hearing skills. When pondering about which Glinda song she would choose if roles were reversed in “Wicked” with Grande, Erivo takes a moment to reflect before responding.

She mentions a new song she has (in Part 2) that she’s eager to sing, but she doesn’t reveal its title to avoid trouble. Additionally, she expresses enthusiasm about performing the opening number “No One Mourns the Wicked,” but since she finds her voice’s performance on it so captivating, she prefers for the artist to handle that part instead.

It’s quite possible that many fans share this sentiment about Erivo’s rendition of “Defying Gravity,” which has been played over 145 million times on Spotify and even made it onto Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart – a feat seldom achieved by a Broadway song these days. One might wonder, is Erivo growing weary of this popular tune?

She states that she doesn’t identify with the term, as its meaning to others is significant, she explains. When asked about her preferred parts of the song, she reveals that she has three favorites, and she sings each one to illustrate them.

At the outset, it reads: ‘“Something feels different inside me” / “Things aren’t as they used to be” / “I’ve had enough of playing by someone else’s rules.”‘ I find the unusual chord progression intriguing, and I like that, as well as ‘Unlimited / Together, we are unstoppable‘ – specifically the melodic shift.

She notes, “At the finale, there’s a specific part that’s quite captivating, it’s the powerful song that marks the end of Part 1 in the film. However, what precedes that – ‘Nobody in all of Oz / No wizard that there is or was / Is ever going to bring me down’ – has a sense of growing strength before you reach that point. You must first prove yourself worthy.

During March’s Oscars ceremony, when Erivo and Grande were performing songs from “Wicked,” “The Wiz,” and “The Wizard of Oz”, it was hard not to chuckle at the sight of a teleprompter displaying the lyrics for “Defying Gravity” to Erivo. It seemed as though she might require some assistance with the song, given her strong connection to it.

She jokes as she admits that she’s not focusing on it right now, “It’s something deeply etched into my memory.” However, at present, “Defying Gravity” and “I’m Here,” her powerful numbers from “Wicked” and “The Color Purple” respectively, are absent from her concert rotation. Yet, she expresses optimism about their future inclusion in her performances, saying, “I can see them making an appearance at some stage.” She adds, “Perhaps after 20 years have passed.

Regarding the role models Erivo looks up to while juggling singing and acting, she mentions Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross as her top choices, stating that “these are the two ladies who have successfully managed both music albums and screen presence.” She further praises Streisand for her stage performances as well, expressing doubt if there’s anyone else who has achieved this balance to such an extent. Erivo also highlights Streisand’s extensive discography, noting that her first album was released in the early 60s before ‘Funny Girl’. Erivo shows admiration for Streisand with a nod of her head.

“That reminds me,” she says. “I’m going to put ‘People’ in my set.”

Read More

2025-06-04 13:35

Previous post Is Ethereum the New Wall Street Darling? $743M ETF Inflows Say Yes
Next post Best Wylder Build in Elden Ring Nightreign