Wicked and Broadway star Cynthia Erivo shared how publicly embracing her queerness has positively impacted her career. During her acceptance speech for the Rand Schrader Award at the Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala on May 18, Erivo spoke about the significance of claiming her identity.
The Rand Schrader Award, named after the pioneering L.A. gay rights activist, celebrates those whose influence inspires others to embrace their true selves. Presenter Jada Pinkett Smith emphasized this, saying the award honors individuals "whose star burns brightly enough so that others may dare to shine."
Erivo reflected on her journey towards self-acceptance:
“It is a privilege to be on this stage tonight because for so long, I lived in deep admiration of anyone who could fully embody their true authentic self, wear their queerness like a feather boa, and proudly state this is a beautiful part of who I am.”
“I used to say that it felt like I was looking at my own community from inside a glass box. There you all were, vibrant and beautiful, and falling in love, and I had my nose pressed up against the glass, looking out at all of you, separate and apart. It took time for me to outgrow my box."
"But time is a gift that gives us space to see ourselves clearly enough to know that denying a part of oneself is a disservice to the whole. But now the glass is shattered. And there is no box in sight, and I have walked out into the wide open spaces into the arms of people and it feels like home.”
“Claiming my queerness in public, and particularly in the public eye, has meant taking a risk in order to claim my freedom."
You can hear her remarks in the video below.
Erivo went on to say that though she has played "some of the most indomitable women," including Harriet Tubman in Harriet, onscreen, she has nonetheless "found that hiding just a little part of myself meant I wasn’t leaving enough room for these women to thrive easily.”
She added:
“You see, when we pour all of ourselves into something or someone, it’s like serving the most nutritious meal. You cultivate an atmosphere that allows one to live, not just to exist. I wanted to live, and not just exist.”
“As I stand here in front of you: Black, bald-headed, pierced, and queer, I can say I know a thing or two about being the other."
She also mentioned her role as Elphaba, the misunderstood character identified with the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum's classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, in the upcoming Wicked adaptation, noting that the role is synonymous with the LGBTQ+ community's protracted efforts for acceptance and legal recognition.
She said:
Elphaba’s story is…about how a colourful, powerful, magical woman — despite being disparaged, demonized, and discriminated against — becomes a hero. Wicked is a reclamation and a reimagining of the labels used against her."
"It is the proclamation of her right to exist in all her power. If that sounds familiar to you colourful, magical people in this room — it should.”
Erivo's speech was a hit with her many fans who praised her for speaking so candidly and proudly.
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Wicked will premiere in theaters this Thanksgiving.
The film is divided into two parts. The second half of the story will premiere in Thanksgiving 2025.
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