Cynthia Erivo, the Grammy, Emmy, and Oscar-nominated actress, has revealed she was instructed to sing from offstage while white actresses lip-synced on stage during her student years at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
Erivo, who was one of four Black students in a class of 34, described the experience as humiliating. She detailed an incident during a production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Company where, after being given a minor role, she was asked to understudy for two actresses who became ill. Instead of stepping in, Erivo alleges she was directed to sing her parts from backstage while the other actresses mimed on stage.
"The powers that be took my voice from me and gave it to somebody else," Erivo stated in her new memoir, 'Simply More,' as reported by the Daily Mail. She felt her voice was "stolen" and that she was being "was being erased" while others benefited from her talent.
Erivo, who achieved fame with a 2015 Broadway revival of 'The Color Purple' and later starred in 'Wicked,' left RADA in 2010. She noted that her time at the institution was marked by "microaggressions and misunderstandings."
The actress's account comes despite her continued close ties with RADA. She has led singing masterclasses since 2015 and was appointed Artist in Residence and Tutor in Vocal Practice just days prior to these revelations. She has also served as Vice President of RADA since 2024.
Helen Slater, RADA's Interim Principal, had recently praised Erivo, stating, 'Cynthia challenges RADA and our students to be braver, more curious and more truthful in our work.'
In response to Erivo's claims, a RADA spokesperson expressed regret. "We would not tolerate the practices she describes today," the spokesperson told The Mirror. The institution stated they were "very sorry to hear Cynthia’s account of aspects of her experience as a student."