SCAD ATVFEST: CYNTHIA ERIVO SHARES HER VIEW ON CICELY TYSON AS HARRIET

“Aretha was the key to learning how magical music could be.  She’s the example …architect in the music industry which is what I aspire to be.”  She also had a real love for clothing & style.  It was cool to wear clothing through time… from the 70’s to 80’s” – Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia broke out as Celie in the broadway hit The Color Purple, earning her a Daytime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, and a Tony Award for Best Actress.  And in 2019, her leading role as Harriet garnered her Golden Globe and Oscar nominations.  THIS is how I was introduced to this AMAZING talent.  My mom still watches the film almost everyday. LOL!

During our roundtable she provided a lot of great insight on her role as Aretha… I was taken as she reflected on Harriet Tubman and the late great Cicely Tyson.

“My goal was not to be perfect but to be truthful… and I led with that.  I will never be that person but my intentions were in the right place with empathy in telling the story.  Harriet liked stories… if she liked that, I knew there was a tenderness … a soft side.  I got to show that and hopefully you knew more about her than you knew.  Cicely is one of many I admire who had a variety of full body careers.  Who kept you guessing by playing many different roles.” – Cynthia

What’s next for Cynthia? Here’s a few projects coming your way!

• New role as Franklin in National Geographic’s Emmy-winning anthology Genius, which premieres in March 2021.
• Will star in the upcoming film Talent Show
• A future biopic about Nigerian princess Sara Forbes Bonnetta.  (I’m really excited about this one  )
• Planning to release her first album with Verve/Universal Music Group in 2021.
• Last but not least… National Geographic’s Genius: Aretha coming soon!

Watch the behind the scenes trailer:

For all of her wonderful accomplishments… Cynthia Erivo will be presented with the SCAD “Spotlight Award”!!!

NOTE: I was able to capture this queen at the 2019 NAACP Image Awards.

Photos RobinLori

Stay tuned for more exciting coverage from SCAD aTVfest!