Editorial Note: This interview was done in April 2025. Cynthia Erivo's second album, I Forgive You, was released in June 2025.
A Story of Soulful Awakening, Shared Frequencies, and the Courage to Be Seen
There are moments that stay with us, not for the applause or the lights, but for the quiet weight of recognition. That night, beneath the vaulted glow of the GLAAD Media Awards, I met Cynthia Erivo. What passed between us was not an interview. It was a shared remembering, a meeting of energies.
In her presence, I felt a clarity that settled like a held breath. That night, she didn’t just tell her story. She held up a mirror. And in its reflection, many of us saw, perhaps for the first time, the truest parts of ourselves.
When Cynthia Erivo stepped onto the stage to accept the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, she didn’t deliver a speech, she delivered a sermon of soul.
“Some flowers bloom against all odds, like the peony. This has been a wild, wild ride, and I’ve been deeply grateful for every second of it…
Waking up and choosing to be yourself, proclaiming a space belongs to you when you don’t feel welcomed…
For those who have not yet even begun to find the road, be encouraged and be patient with yourself, it will show itself…
We use the phrase ‘out and proud,’ and though you might not have the strength or capacity to do that now, know that I am proud of your quiet and solitary want to be just that…
I ask every single one of you… to point your light in the direction of someone who just needs a little guidance…”
The room held its breath. In those few minutes, Erivo distilled centuries of silence, struggle, and survival into a single offering. She spoke for the unseen and called forth the invisible. Her voice carved out space for those still finding the courage to stand in their own light. Her presence became permission; her story, a signal fire for those walking in the dark.
Mentorship as Ministry
What stood out most was not just what she said, but what she embodied. She wasn’t speaking at the room, she was standing with it. In our conversation, she spoke of her commitment to LGBTQ+ youth not as a campaign but as a covenant.
“Your voice is your most powerful tool,” she told me. “It may tremble. It may feel small. But it holds the power to shatter silence and shape futures. Keep using it.”
She has become a mirror for those still learning to recognise their reflection, a guide for those not yet steady on their feet. She mentors by modelling — authenticity, audacity, and grace.
Chapter 1 vs. 1: The Soul Soundtrack of Becoming
When I told her she had consistently amazed us on stage and screen, and that her album Ch. 1 Vs. 1 revealed a new dimension of her artistry, she smiled. I asked what inspired such a personal, resonant body of work.
“Thank you so much, Michael! It truly means a lot to me to be here with you. What powerful positive energy you brought me, I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to meet and share my love with you such as in my heart, my music, my blood. Ch. 1 Vs. 1 is a reflection of my journey, one that’s still unfolding. Throughout my career, I’ve always loved performing and singing, but with this album, I wanted to get to the heart of who I am. I felt the need to express not just the person everyone sees on stage or in movies but the person I am behind the masks we often wear. This album is vulnerable; it’s about peeling away the layers, being unafraid of showing the parts of myself that I’ve kept hidden or haven’t always had the space to share. It’s a deep exploration of my heart, my fears, my triumphs, and my growth. I wanted to create an honest narrative that people can connect with and hopefully find parts of themselves in as well.”
The record opens with What In The World, a track that sets the tone for everything that follows.
“Yes, What In The World was the first song that I wrote for the album, and it really set the stage for everything that followed. The song is about the confusion we often feel when we’re trying to navigate the world’s expectations of us, while also staying true to who we are. It’s this internal struggle of questioning what’s real and what’s a construct we’ve been told to believe. The chorus was inspired by that feeling of being in limbo, caught between two worlds, and not always knowing which one to choose. I wanted the song to feel disorienting because that’s how the world sometimes feels when you’re trying to figure it all out. But underneath that confusion, there’s hope and the desire for clarity. That’s why the music itself is almost this swirling mix of genres, it reflects that tension and feeling of searching for something solid.”
Recognition and Responsibility
Her work extends beyond music and film. I asked how it felt to be recognised by GLAAD for her role in advancing representation.
“Honestly, it was an overwhelming honour. As someone who is deeply passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community, being recognised by GLAAD was a full-circle moment. For me, it’s not just about awards; it’s about using the platforms I have to shine a light on issues that matter. The LGBTQ+ community is so often overlooked or pushed to the margins, and I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to bring visibility to those who need it the most. Being part of that recognition felt like a responsibility more than anything, a reminder that we all need to continue the fight for acceptance, love, and equality. But it also reinforced my belief that the work we do as artists can have a direct impact on creating more inclusive spaces. It was humbling, and it felt like a personal victory for all of us who are striving to create a world where everyone is allowed to just be.” (Image below: Cynthia Erivo, April 2025, Photo by Michael Adam Cohen)
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The Journey of a Transcendent Artist
Erivo’s career is a testament to focus. With a Daytime Emmy, Grammy, and Tony — and multiple Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations — she has built a body of work that bridges stage, screen, and sound. From The Color Purple to Harriet, Widows to Wicked, she has consistently chosen roles that expand representation and demand depth. Her portrayal of Harriet Tubman earned her not just an acting Oscar nomination, but another for writing and performing the anthem “Stand Up.”
On television, her performance in Genius: Aretha brought a Primetime Emmy nomination, further proof of her range.
More Than Artistry
As our conversation drew to a close, it became clear her artistry is not just performance, it’s a form of service.
“I’m focused on using every platform I have to create change - through art, through advocacy, through presence,” she said.
Leaving the room, I carried more than an interview. I carried a reminder: we are each lanterns, lighting the way for the unseen, becoming visible for those still hidden. Like Cynthia, we can choose to rise even without sunlight.
She is a constellation guiding others home to themselves. And in every note she sings, every stage she commands, and every life she touches, she continues to raise the light for those still finding their way.
Cynthia Erivo, thank you. For being the clearest breath I have taken in years. For lighting the way without effort. For seeing me, and letting yourself be seen. You are not just a star, but a constellation — guiding us back to ourselves.
May every note you sing, every stage you stand on, and every life you touch help awaken this world to its highest truth.
Ch. 1 Vs. 1
Listeners are invited on a deep journey into Cynthia Erivo’s emotional landscape, combining raw vulnerability, strength, and celebration. With exclusive bonus content—including a Josiah Bell remix, alternate cover art, and a digital Cynthia Erivo signature, this album is essential for anyone seeking a soundtrack to the unfolding of self.
Digital MP3 downloads are available worldwide, bringing Cynthia’s story to life in every note and lyric.
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