Cynthia Erivo has long been a force—on stage, on screen, and in the hearts of fans who see pieces of themselves reflected in her work. But as Wicked: For Good dominates the cultural conversation, more people are turning their attention not just to Erivo’s talent, but to her story, her identity, and the quiet power she carries into every room.
Erivo publicly came out in 2021 as queer and then later clarifying that she identifies as bisexual. However, in 2024, she identified herself as queer when she spoke during the Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala:
“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 has spoken openly about how she didn’t always have the language to articulate what she felt, but stepping fully into herself brought a sense of clarity and creative freedom she hadn’t known before. “It’s wonderful to just be me,” she shared in one interview, emphasizing how liberating it is to stop hiding parts of herself.
Cynthia Erivo is a Favorite in the LGBTQ+ Community
For queer audiences, Erivo’s resonance goes far beyond labels. She has become a symbol of strength for anyone who has ever felt like the “other.” Her portrayal of Elphaba—an outsider who grows into her own power—has long held a special place within LGBTQ+ circles. Many queer fans see themselves in that transformation: the painful beginnings, the self-discovery, the refusal to shrink.
In her recent British GQ Men of the Year cover story, Erivo reflected on how she hopes Wicked: For Good continues to touch “the queer community, the neurodiverse community, and every person who has found solace in [Elphaba’s] otherness.” She even recalled meeting a young boy who told her that Elphaba helped him cry—an emotional reminder of how deeply her work reaches those who grow up feeling different.
Yet, with all the love for her performance, Erivo admitted something deeply vulnerable:
“I don’t want Cynthia to disappear into Elphaba again… I’d like to be me.”
It’s a confession that hits home for LGBTQ+ people everywhere—especially those who have ever masked, shapeshifted, or softened themselves just to survive. Her honesty is part of what makes her such a magnetic figure within the community.
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A Woman Who Knows Her Power—and Uses It
In the same GQ feature, Erivo spoke candidly about how simply existing in her own skin can make her art political, even when she isn’t trying to make a statement. “Everything is political,” she said, adding that roles she plays often get labeled “controversial,” even though the only controversial thing, it seems, is her identity. This awareness doesn’t hold her back; if anything, it fuels her drive to tell stories that matter.
Cynthia Erivo and Lena Waithe: A Love Story Rooted in Quiet Strength
Part of Erivo’s growing public intrigue lies in her relationship with writer, producer, and actor Lena Waithe. The two first connected at the Met Gala years ago—an encounter Waithe once described as an instant spark. While they’ve known each other since at least 2018, whispers about a romantic connection didn’t begin until around 2021.
Lena Waithe talks meeting and “vibing” with Cynthia Erivo, who she’s presenting an award to at the #PalmSpringsFilmFestival gala pic.twitter.com/W3nFgolo10
— Variety (@Variety) January 3, 2020
Their romance remains intentionally private, but every glimpse the public gets is powerful. Waithe has supported Erivo throughout her Wicked press tour, even attending the New York premiere of Wicked: For Good.
They walked the carpet separately, but the moment they came together became one of the night’s most magical moments.
@enews #LenaWaithe has arrived to the #WickedMovie carpet.
Waithe is a groundbreaking figure in her own right—a creator behind The Chi, Boomerang, and Twenties, and the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Her acting credits span Master of None, Ready Player One, and Westworld, making her one of the most dynamic talents working today.
The Legacy Erivo Continues to Build
Erivo’s career is already historic. With a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy for The Color Purple and multiple Oscar nominations—including her role as Elphaba in Wicked Part One—she has firmly established herself as one of her generation’s defining performers. As Wicked: For Good now plays in theaters and awards season looms, her star is only rising higher.
But the magic of Erivo isn’t just her voice or her acting—it’s her openness, her courage, and her willingness to be fully herself at a time when authenticity is both risky and revolutionary. For queer fans, that’s the real spell she casts.
LOVE this handsome couple! I sense an artistic collaboration coming soon.