Cynthia Erivo Then & Now: Photos of the Powerhouse ‘Wicked’ Actress & Singer

Long before playing Elphaba in the ‘Wicked’ films, Cynthia won a Tony Award for ‘The Color Purple.’ See pics of her over the years.

Cynthia Erivo is an award-winning actress and singer who first gained fame on Broadway. In 2016, she starred as Celie in the musical adaptation of The Color Purple, winning a Tony Award for Lead Actress in a Musical, a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, and a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance.

Erivo’s success continued on screen with roles in Widows opposite Viola Davis and Bad Times at the El Royale with Chris Hemsworth and Dakota Johnson, before earning widespread acclaim for portraying Harriet Tubman in the 2019 biopic Harriet. She reached new heights as Elphaba in Universal Pictures’ two-part Wicked adaptation, with Wicked: For Good breaking box office records and earning multiple nominations, including a 2026 Golden Globe nod for Best Actress — Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for her performance.

To see pics of the actress and singer over the years, scroll through this gallery.

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