Cynthia Erivo on Queerness, Fame, and Finding Her Voice
Cynthia Erivo is making it clear that her voice isn’t just a gift but a tool for self-expression, resistance, and visibility.
The “Wicked” star is opening up about her queerness and how living more openly has helped her grow both personally and professionally.
“The more yourself you are, the more you are in front of people who don’t necessarily understand, the better understanding starts to happen,” the star shared with Billboard.
Erivo first publicly came out in 2022, not for self-affirmation, but to make an impact. “I was so excited about being able to at least be one more face where someone could say, ‘Oh, my God, she did it and can still do it,’” she explained. “She’s still creating, she’s still making. So maybe I can also do the same.”
That message is at the core of her upcoming studio album, “I Forgive You,” out June 6.
Executive-produced with Will Wells, the project marks a shift, not just musically, but personally.
“It wasn’t scary to write,” she admitted. “The scary thing was getting ready to share it.” The album explores Erivo’s full range, from ballads and gospel influences to songs about desire and self-discovery.
Still, she’s aware of what’s at stake in today’s political climate. As anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation rise, Erivo will headline a WorldPride concert in Washington, D.C. this June. It’s a deliberate move to stay visible. “I want to encourage people to not... start hiding and not being themselves anymore, because that is exactly what they want,” she said.
And while her résumé continues to expand, Erivo says she’s staying grounded and “leaning toward just trying to be the best version of myself, full stop.”
