'To be in a room and not being able to see other actors [of color] who are nominated, to not be able to share that with another black actress is saddening.' CynthiaEriVo opens up about being the only Oscars nominee of color
The 'Harriet' star and double Oscar nominee reveals the loneliness of being the only actor of color in the race and her thoughts on British actors playing African-American characters.for which, perhaps, she is best known, she takes you on a journey with her voice. The opening is clear and unadorned, but as the song builds, as we witness a woman realizing the innate beauty and strength she possesses, Erivo's voice swells into fullness, rich with emotion.
You're nominated for two Oscars this year. If you win, you will be the youngest EGOT winner. Do you care about those kinds of accolades? Was this something you imagined for your career? Yes, actually. I didn't know how it would be received, but I did know I wanted to tell that story because you got to see something from a different point of view. You get to see someone who was defiant and who lived her life as a free woman. That's a different conversation. To take on that role was to challenge how you see women who lived through that time and how much agency they can have.
There are black actors who have reached out and said, "Thank you very much, congratulations and well done." Here, it's been received really well. Over there, I've only been paying attention to those I know and care about who are also black actors and actresses in the business, and demand to be a bit more outspoken about their belief in making sure it's a more diverse playing field, and that we get to see ourselves celebrated as well.
You've mentioned Kasi Lemmons to me as "possibly one of the most intelligent people I've ever met." Are there additional dream directors you'd like to work with? My fitness came from a trainer a long time ago. I used to be in a dance company and he would say, "You shouldn't let the dance make you fit. You should be fit for the dance." I applied that to my life. I never wanted to be unprepared when I was walking onto a stage or a set. I always wanted to be ready physically, so it was the last thing I had to think about.I think so.
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