Cynthia Erivo Biography: Age, Movies, and Elphaba Role – Wicked Wiki

Cynthia Erivo is the talented actress and singer who brings the iconic character Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, to life in the Wicked movie musicals. She is a highly decorated performer known for her powerful voice and deep emotional performances. Her journey to this famous role began on stages in London and Broadway, where she won major awards for her starring role in The Color Purple. Beyond Wicked, she has earned critical praise for portraying real-life heroes like Harriet Tubman and Aretha Franklin. Her work in Wicked has broken new ground, making her the first Black actress to be nominated twice for a Best Actress Golden Globe in the comedy/musical category.

Who is Elphaba actress Cynthia Erivo?

Cynthia Erivo is an English actress, singer, and songwriter who is now world-famous for playing Elphaba in the Wicked films. However, she was a celebrated star long before she put on the black hat. She first gained major recognition on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for her leading role in the musical The Color Purple. She successfully moved from stage to screen, earning two Academy Award nominations for her role as Harriet Tubman in the film Harriet. She is one of the few artists to have been nominated for an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award (an EGOT), having already won the first three. She is widely respected as one of the most powerful and versatile performers of her generation.

Elphaba actress Cynthia Erivo Age

Cynthia Erivo was born on January 8, 1987, in Stockwell, London. As of December 2025, this makes her 38 years old. Her birth name is Cynthia Chinasaokwu Onyedinmanasu Amarachukwu Owezuke Echimino Erivo, reflecting her Nigerian heritage. She has spoken about how her age and life experiences helped her connect deeply with the character of Elphaba, particularly with feelings of not fitting in and complicated family relationships. Despite being relatively young, her career achievements, including major awards and historic nominations, are exceptionally accomplished.

Cynthia Erivo Biography / Wiki table

Early Life and Background

Cynthia Erivo was born and raised in South London by her mother, Edith, a nurse who immigrated from Nigeria. Her parents separated when she was very young, and she was raised primarily by her mother alongside her younger sister, Stephanie. Her childhood was marked by a difficult relationship with her father, who disowned her when she was 16 years old. Despite this, her mother was very supportive. Edith noticed Cynthia’s talent early, writing in her baby book that she would grow up to be an actress and singer. Cynthia began performing publicly at a young age, singing in school pageants and acting in plays, which set her on her future path.

Cynthia Erivo Education

Cynthia Erivo’s educational path led her to one of the world’s top drama schools. She first attended the University of East London to study music psychology but left after a year. Following a teacher’s advice, she applied and was accepted to the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. She graduated from RADA with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting in 2010. She has said her time there was challenging and she sometimes felt she did not fit in, but it was crucial for training her craft. Her talent and success have since brought her back to the institution in a leadership role; she now serves as a vice president of RADA.

Cynthia Erivo Career Journey

Cynthia Erivo’s career is a story of rapid rise from stage to global fame. Here is a look at her journey:

Cynthia Erivo Best known for

Cynthia Erivo is best known for several landmark roles that showcase her incredible range. Her defining stage role is Celie Harris in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple, for which she won a Tony Award. In film, she is renowned for her powerful portrayal of American abolitionist Harriet Tubman in Harriet, which earned her Academy Award nominations for both acting and songwriting. On television, she received critical acclaim for playing music legend Aretha Franklin in the series Genius: Aretha. Currently, she is most famous worldwide for starring as Elphaba, the misunderstood green-skinned witch, in the blockbuster movie musicals Wicked and Wicked: For Good.

Cynthia Erivo Family – Parents, Husband, and Children

Cynthia Erivo’s family is centered around her mother and sister. She was raised in London by her mother, Edith, a Nigerian immigrant who worked as a nurse. She has a younger sister named Stephanie. Erivo has been estranged from her father since he disowned the family when she was a teenager. She is not married and does not have children. She identifies as queer and bisexual and has been in a relationship with actress and producer Lena Waithe since 2022. She has said that her mother and sister have needed time to understand and accept her sexuality, but they are working on their relationship. She named her production company “Edith’s Daughter” in honor of her mother.

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