Cynthia Erivo, the acclaimed star of ‘Wicked’, has unveiled deeply personal struggles in her new memoir ‘Simply More’, released today, detailing her estrangement from her father, family tensions over her queerness, and a past professional incident where she scared off a manager with a rage outburst. The book offers a raw exploration of identity, resilience, and the personal costs intertwined with her rising fame.
Erivo, 38, writes candidly about being abandoned by her father at age 16 after an argument in a London underground station, an event that cemented their estrangement. She reflects on years spent trying to prove her worth to him but has since reached a place of acceptance, acknowledging he was never meant to be a parent. In a recent NPR interview, she expressed no desire for reconciliation, stating she feels ‘strange apathy’ rather than animosity, and they have not spoken since that fateful day.
Her relationships with her mother and sister are also fraught, particularly regarding her sexuality. Erivo notes that her queerness ‘goes against the grain’ of her family’s expectations, with her mother struggling to reconcile her dreams for Erivo with reality. She describes this as a territory they are ‘still navigating,’ though she sees her mother making efforts to understand. Her sister took even longer to accept Erivo’s identity, but the memoir highlights a recent ‘hump’ overcome, signaling gradual progress in their bond.
Erivo’s journey with her sexuality began in her teens when she realized attractions to both men and women, but an unrequited crush on a girl in high school pushed her back into the closet. She exclusively dated men into her late twenties before slowly embracing her identity, coming out publicly as bisexual in a 2022 British Vogue interview. She emphasizes the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ equality, noting that such individuals often feel the need to justify their existence when the only difference is how they love and express themselves.
Beyond family dynamics, Erivo recounts a professional incident where she experienced a ‘blackout rage’ outburst. During a rehearsal at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, her then-manager brought unannounced friends, triggering her fury. She describes scaring herself with the intensity of her reaction, which led the manager to resign via email and sever ties immediately. This episode underscores the emotional volatility she has faced in her career, aligning with the book’s theme of being ‘too much’ for some people.
The memoir also delves into Erivo’s encounters with racism and microaggressions in the entertainment industry. At London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she was asked to sing from behind a curtain while white classmates lip-synced her voice. Later, critics of her role in ‘The Color Purple’ complained it wasn’t ‘gray’ or ‘violent’ enough, reflecting biased expectations. These experiences have shaped her performances and advocacy, fueling her commitment to authenticity and challenging stereotypes.
Erivo’s personal revelations coincide with her return as Elphaba in ‘Wicked: For Good,’ premiering soon, where she channels childhood pain into her art. She advocates for living authentically, despite the exhaustion of constant self-expression, calling it the ‘most rewarding way to live.’ Her story serves as an inspiration for others deemed ‘too much,’ encouraging self-ownership and resilience in overcoming adversity.
