Cynthia Erivo's Road To 'Wicked'

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I'm Tanya Mosley. There's a moment in the new movie Wicked for Good when Elphaba, the so-called wicked witch, stops defending herself to a world that has misunderstood her and simply exists on her own power. My guest today, Cynthia Arrivo, brings that moment to life with a depth that is also personal. In part two of Wicked, Arrivo captures Alphabet's evolution from outcast to someone who claims her own story. a journey Arrivo also explores in her new memoir, Simply More.

The book traces how she learned to shed other people's definitions of her as a woman, as a black artist, and as someone who was sometimes told she was too much. Arrivo first broke through on Broadway in the color purple, winning a Tony Award for her portrayal of Seely. She went on to earn an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Harriet Tutman, and later portrayed Aretha Franklin and Genius Aretha, for which she was nominated for several awards, including an Emmy. Arrivo is also a recording artist, blending gospel, soul, and cinematic pop. Last year's Wicked and the new film Wicked for Good are adapted from the Tony Award winning Broadway musical.

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