The multi-talented artist, a recipient of the prestigious Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Awards, will grace the stage of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 7th to receive a prestigious accolade, presented by none other than her co-star from 'Needle in a Timestack,' Leslie Odom Jr. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has doubled down on its commitment to honoring Cynthia Erivo, who has been chosen to receive the National Equality Award at their national dinner, a grand event set to unfold in the heart of Washington D.C. on the aforementioned date.
Erivo, who shares the screen with Ariana Grande in the upcoming two-part musical extravaganza 'Wicked' under the helm of Jon M. Chu, has already adorned herself with the HRC Ally for Equality Award at the organization's Atlanta gala in 2019. This time, HRC has secured the services of fellow Tony and Grammy winner, Leslie Odom Jr., to present the honor, which acknowledges "her remarkable endeavors in amplifying the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community, leveraging her formidable voice to advocate for their rights, and inspiring the next generation of LGBTQ+ stars to shine brightly on both stage and screen."
Erivo and Odom have previously shared the screen in Lionsgate's 'Needle in a Timestack,' adding another layer of significance to this momentous occasion. The announcement of fellow honorees, speakers, and presenters is eagerly awaited and will be made at a later date.
Upon receiving the news, Erivo expressed her profound gratitude, calling it an unparalleled honor to be recognized once again by HRC. "As a Black, queer, and femme individual, I intimately comprehend the beauty that lies in intersectionality. The more we empower these voices to flourish, the closer we inch towards a world where acceptance is the norm. The LGBTQ+ community yearns to see themselves mirrored on and off the stage, on screens large and small, demonstrating that the sky's the limit. I aspire to continue utilizing my voice, sharing my narrative, and facilitating others in sharing theirs. I hope to embody what it means to embrace one's true self daily, knowing that the journey may be arduous but immensely fulfilling."
HRC President Kelley Robinson hailed Erivo as a "generational talent" whose impact on the visibility and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community is profound. "Her resounding voice and infectious authenticity serve as a beacon for other LGBTQ+ individuals to be unapologetically themselves, wherever they may be," she added. "We stand at a pivotal juncture in the quest for LGBTQ+ equality. This year, hate and discrimination are on the ballot, making it imperative for our community to rally together, reaffirm our commitment, and make our voices heard at the polls to ensure the continuation of our struggle towards full liberation. Like Cynthia, we must persist in wielding our powerful voices and embracing our authentic selves to forge justice and equality for all, without exception."
Erivo's meteoric rise began with her triumphant Broadway run in 'The Color Purple,' which catapulted her to Tony, Emmy, and Grammy glory. She has since graced the silver screen in films like 'Harriet,' 'Widows,' and portrayed Aretha Franklin in 'Genius.' Her television credits include HBO's 'The Outsider' and John Ridley's 'Needle in a Timestack.' Currently, she stars as Elphaba alongside Ariana Grande's Glinda in the highly anticipated 'Wicked,' set to enchant audiences in theaters from November 22nd.
