Cynthia Erivo is a British actor, producer, and singer who made her television debut on Michaela Coel's Chewing Gum. Erivo has gained acclaim for her starring role in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple, earning both a Tony and a Grammy award for her performance in the musical. On the smaller screen, Erivo is best known for her roles in Stephen King's The Outsider and for portraying Aretha Franklin in the anthology series Genius: Aretha, for which she received an Emmy nomination. While on the big screen her acclaim continues, having received multiple Oscar nominations for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in the biopic Harriet, where she also wrote and performed the song Stand Up in its soundtrack. Erivo has also starred as Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the East, in the musical fantasy film Wicked.
Known For
Credits
Cast Credits
Number One on the Call Sheet (2025)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 1x02: Black Leading Women in Hollywood (Mar 29, 2025)
ABC News Live Weekend (2024)
Guest starring as Interviewed
- Episode 2025 Special: On The Red Carpet at the Oscars (Mar 2, 2025)
Off Script with The Hollywood Reporter (2023)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 1x01: Songwriter (Dec 31, 2023)
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023)
Starring as Dr. Ojo
- Episode 2x07: Make It, Don't Break It! (Feb 2, 2024)
Poker Face (2023)
Guest starring as Amber Kazinsky
- Episode 2x01: The Game Is a Foot (May 8, 2025)
Guest starring as Felicity Price
- Episode 2x01: The Game Is a Foot (May 8, 2025)
Guest starring as Bebe Kazinsky
- Episode 2x01: The Game Is a Foot (May 8, 2025)
Guest starring as Cece Kazinsky
- Episode 2x01: The Game Is a Foot (May 8, 2025)
Guest starring as Delia Kazinsky
- Episode 2x01: The Game Is a Foot (May 8, 2025)
The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 3x53: Cynthia Erivo, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps (Nov 27, 2024)
Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge (2022)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2x03: Cynthia Erivo in the Brecon Beacons Mountains (Jul 23, 2023)
Roar (2022)
Guest starring as Ambia
- Episode 1x04: The Woman Who Found Bite Marks on Her Skin (Apr 15, 2022)
Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock Back to the Rock (2022)
Starring as The Archivist
- Episode 1x04: The Glow (Jan 21, 2022)
CBS Mornings (2021)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2025-06-04: Cynthia Erivo, Charlene Kaye, Newt Gingrich (Jun 4, 2025)
- Episode 2024-12-02: Cynthia Erivo (Dec 2, 2024)
The Amber Ruffin Show (2020)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2x17: June 17, 2022 (Jun 17, 2022)
The Drew Barrymore Show (2020)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 5x64: Fortune Feimster, Cynthia Erivo (Dec 10, 2024)
The Outsider (2020)
Starring as Holly Gibney
(8 episodes)
- Episode 1x10: Must/Can't (Mar 8, 2020)
- Episode 1x09: Tigers and Bears (Mar 1, 2020)
- Episode 1x08: Foxhead (Feb 23, 2020)
- Episode 1x07: In the Pines, In the Pines (Feb 16, 2020)
- Episode 1x06: The One About the Yiddish Vampire (Feb 9, 2020)
- Episode 1x05: Tear-Drinker (Feb 2, 2020)
- Episode 1x04: Que Viene el Coco (Jan 26, 2020)
- Episode 1x03: Dark Uncle (Jan 19, 2020)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(4 episodes)
- Episode 6x40: Wicked Hour (Nov 19, 2024)
- Episode 5x54: Music as a Movement Hour (Jan 15, 2024)
- Episode 4x10: Cynthia Erivo, Wells Adams, Daniele Uditi (Sep 23, 2022)
- Episode 3x33: Cynthia Erivo, John Pollono (Oct 27, 2021)
Today with Hoda & Jenna (2019)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 6x66: Cynthia Erivo, Lora McLaughlin Peterson (Dec 19, 2023)
Today 3rd Hour (2018)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2025-06-06: Mark Hamill, Cynthia Erivo (Jun 6, 2025)
Genius (2017)
Starring as Aretha Franklin
(8 episodes)
- Episode 3x08: No One Sleeps (Mar 24, 2021)
- Episode 3x07: Chain of Fools (Mar 24, 2021)
- Episode 3x06: Amazing Grace (Mar 23, 2021)
- Episode 3x05: Young, Gifted and Black (Mar 23, 2021)
- Episode 3x04: Unforgettable (Mar 22, 2021)
- Episode 3x03: Do Right Woman (Mar 22, 2021)
- Episode 3x02: Until the Real Thing Comes Along (Mar 21, 2021)
- Episode 3x01: Respect (Mar 21, 2021)
Give (2016)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 1x15: Give to Broadway and College Bound Kids (Feb 25, 2017)
To Tell the Truth (2016)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(2 episodes)
- Episode 6x28: Cynthia Erivo, Donald Faison and Iliza Shlesinger (Apr 26, 2022)
- Episode 6x21: Cynthia Erivo, Gary Owen and Donald Faison (Feb 22, 2022)
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (2015)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2021-03-17: Cynthia Erivo (Mar 17, 2021)
- Episode 2016-06-27: Cynthia Erivo (Jun 27, 2016)
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(6 episodes)
- Episode 2025-06-05: Cynthia Erivo, Tony Gilroy (Jun 5, 2025)
- Episode 2024-06-19: Cynthia Erivo, Rep. Jamaal Bowman (Jun 19, 2024)
- Episode 2021-06-07: Chris Matthews, Cynthia Erivo (Jun 7, 2021)
- Episode 2021-01-20: Jon Lovett, Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor, Peter CottonTale, Chance The Rapper, Cynthia Erivo, Chicago Children's Choir, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Kofi Lost (Live Show) (Jan 20, 2021)
- Episode 2019-10-30: Norman Reedus, Cynthia Erivo, Miranda Lambert (Oct 30, 2019)
- Episode 2016-05-23: Emilia Clarke; Shiri Appleby; Cynthia Erivo (May 23, 2016)
The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2020-01-28: Cynthia Erivo, Ashton Kutcher, BTS (Jan 28, 2020)
Oscars Opening Ceremony: Live from the Red Carpet (2015)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2024-03-10: The Oscars Red Carpet Show 2024 (Mar 10, 2024)
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors (2014)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 21x04: Angelina Jolie & Cynthia Erivo (Dec 12, 2024)
Chicken Shop Date (2014)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 1x107: Cynthia Erivo (Jan 31, 2025)
Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2024-11-14: Cynthia Erivo, Brett Goldstein (Nov 14, 2024)
- Episode 2019-10-31: Timothée Chalamet, Cynthia Erivo, Miranda Lambert (Oct 31, 2019)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(3 episodes)
- Episode 2024-11-13: Cynthia Erivo, Martha Stewart, Travis Fimmel, Emma Willmann (Nov 13, 2024)
- Episode 2023-12-22: Cynthia Erivo, Kiefer Sutherland, Jay Jurden (Dec 22, 2023)
- Episode 2021-09-22: Steve Martin and Martin Short, Margaret Qualley, Dr. Jane Goodall, Cynthia Erivo (Sep 22, 2021)
Broad City (2014)
Guest starring as Lisa
(2 episodes)
- Episode 5x04: Make the Space (Feb 14, 2019)
- Episode 4x09: Bedbugs (Nov 29, 2017)
RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars (2012)
Guest starring as Judge
- Episode 10x07: Wicked Good (Jun 13, 2025)
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked! (2012)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 7x07: Wicked Good (Jun 13, 2025) [Special Guest Star]
The Voice (2011)
Guest starring as Advisor
(3 episodes)
- Episode 27x08: The Battles Part 3 (Mar 24, 2025) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 27x07: The Battles Part 2 (Mar 17, 2025) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 27x06: The Battles Premiere (Mar 10, 2025) [Special Guest Star]
RuPaul's Drag Race (2009)
Guest starring as Judge
- Episode 13x13: Henny, I Shrunk the Drag Queens! (Apr 2, 2021)
RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked! (2009)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 13x13: Henny, I Shrunk the Drag Queens! (Apr 2, 2021)
Live from E! (2007)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(4 episodes)
- Episode 2025-05-05: The E! Met Gala 2025 (May 5, 2025)
- Episode 2025-02-02: The E! Grammy Awards 2025 (Feb 2, 2025)
- Episode 2025-01-05: The E! Golden Globes Awards 2025 (Jan 5, 2025)
- Episode 2025 Special: E! Countdown to the Red Carpet: The 2025 Academy Awards (The Oscars) (Mar 2, 2025)
The Graham Norton Show (2007)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(2 episodes)
- Episode 32x08: Nicole Kidman, Cynthia Erivo, James Norton, Chris McCausland, Benson Boone (Nov 22, 2024)
- Episode 29x11: Keanu Reeves, Olivia Colman, Cynthia Erivo, Jack Whitehall, Rag 'n' Bone Man (Dec 10, 2021)
Dancing with the Stars (2005)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 34x06: Wicked Night (Oct 21, 2025) [Special Guest Star]
Strictly Come Dancing (2004)
Guest starring as Judge
(4 episodes)
- Episode 19x20: Week 10 Results (Nov 28, 2021)
- Episode 19x19: Week 10 (Nov 27, 2021)
- Episode 19x18: Week 9 Results (Nov 21, 2021)
- Episode 19x17: Week 9 (Nov 20, 2021)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(2 episodes)
- Episode 23x06: Week 3 Results (Oct 12, 2025)
- Episode 23x05: Week 3 (Oct 11, 2025)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2022-05-06: Tiffany Haddish; Cynthia Erivo (May 6, 2022)
Jimmy Kimmel Live (2003)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(3 episodes)
- Episode 2025-07-24: Bertie Gregory, Mariah Carey, Danna, guest host Fortune Feimster (Jul 24, 2025)
- Episode 2025-01-27: Cynthia Erivo, Riley Green (Jan 27, 2025)
- Episode 2021-01-18: Dua Lipa, Cynthia Erivo, Local Natives feat. Sharon Van Etten (Jan 18, 2021)
American Idol (2002)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(2 episodes)
- Episode 18x16: On with the Show: Grand Finale (May 17, 2020) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 17x11: All-Star Duets: Part 2 (Apr 8, 2019)
Screen Actors Guild Awards (1995)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2025-02-23: The 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (Feb 23, 2025)
Later... with Jools Holland (1992)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 66x01: Skunk Anansie, Cynthia Erivo, CMAT, Heartworms, Sam Amidon (May 18, 2025)
National Memorial Day Concert (1989)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2024-05-26: 35th Annual National Memorial Day Concert (May 26, 2024)
Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist (1987)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2024-11-10: Cynthia Erivo (Nov 10, 2024)
NAACP Image Awards (1984)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2021-03-27: 52nd Annual NAACP Image Awards (Mar 27, 2021)
- Episode 2025 Special: 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards Red Carpet Live (Feb 22, 2025)
CBS News Sunday Morning (1979)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2025-02-09: Cynthia Erivo, Stephanie Courtney, Dean Winters (Feb 9, 2025)
Kennedy Center Honors (1978)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2019-12-15: The 42st Annual Kennedy Center Honors (Dec 15, 2019)
20/20 (1978)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2025 Special: Countdown to the Oscars with Robin Roberts: A Special Edition of 20/20 (Feb 28, 2025)
Good Morning America (1975)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2025-02-27: Celebrating 50 Years of "GMA" at the Oscars (Feb 27, 2025)
Country Music Association Awards (1967)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2023-11-08: The 57th Annual CMA Awards (Nov 8, 2023)
Grammy Awards (1959)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2025-02-02: The 67th Annual Grammy Awards (Feb 2, 2025)
- Episode 2022-04-03: The 64th Annual Grammy Awards (Apr 3, 2022)
Tony Awards (1957)
Starring as Host
- Episode 2025-06-08: The 78th Annual Tony Awards (Jun 8, 2025)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(3 episodes)
- Episode 2024-06-16: The 77th Annual Tony Awards (Jun 16, 2024)
- Episode 2022-06-12: The 75th Annual Tony Awards (Jun 12, 2022)
- Episode 2016-06-12: The 70th Annual Tony Awards (Jun 12, 2016)
Oscars (1953)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(3 episodes)
- Episode 2025-03-02: The 97th Annual Academy Awards (Mar 2, 2025)
- Episode 2024-03-10: The 96th Annual Academy Awards (Mar 10, 2024)
- Episode 2020-02-09: The 92nd Annual Academy Awards (Feb 9, 2020)
Today (1952)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
(4 episodes)
- Episode 2025-06-06: Cynthia Erivo (Jun 6, 2025)
- Episode 2024-07-26: Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, Mike Tirico, Ina Garten (Jul 26, 2024)
- Episode 2023-12-19: Ryan Kelly, Cynthia Erivo, Walker Hayes, Phoebe Dynevor, Chef Joe Isidori (Dec 19, 2023)
- Episode 2019-10-24: Episode 215 (Oct 24, 2019)
The Emmy Awards (1949)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2020-09-20: The 72nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 2020 (Sep 20, 2020)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1948)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2024-11-28: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 (Nov 28, 2024)
Golden Globe Awards (1944)
Guest starring as Cynthia Erivo
- Episode 2021-02-28: The 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards 2021 (Feb 28, 2021)
Crew Credits
Tony Awards (1957)
Show crew as Producer
- Episode 2025-06-08: The 78th Annual Tony Awards (Jun 8, 2025)