Cynthia Erivo — Wicked, Wild & Wise — is here!!! | We Can Do Hard Things Brief

Key Takeaways

Cynthia Erivo emphasizes self-care and setting personal boundaries through daily rituals.
Her book, "Simply More," offers raw insights into personal growth and overcoming past trauma.
A difficult relationship with her father deeply impacted her trust, addressed through therapy.
Erivo advocates for authenticity in acting, rejecting "method acting" for personal experience.
She embraces her "too muchness" and uses questioning to foster genuine connections and clarity.
Erivo views the actor's role as a vessel, emphasizing the importance of maintaining one's true self.

Cynthia Erivo begins her day by dressing for bed as a form of self-care.
This practice creates a clear boundary between day and night, regardless of observers.
It helps her feel centered and good within herself before the day's demands.

Cynthia Erivo's book "Simply More," released November 21st, is described as honest, raw, and profound.
The book details her personal discoveries and difficult journey, particularly with her father.
Erivo expressed excitement mixed with apprehension about sharing her experiences in the book.

Cynthia Erivo determines trustworthiness based on intuitive feelings and people revealing themselves.
She was fortunate to build a strong foundation of supportive friends early in her career.
Erivo notes that discerning genuine support helps her decide when to keep distance or engage easily.

A strained relationship with her father, including an incident at a train station, triggered a lifelong pattern of self-reliance.
This past trauma led to a lack of trust and difficulty accepting help, impacting her role in "The Color Purple."
Erivo sought therapy in her late twenties to unlearn these patterns, becoming more open to support and understanding departures.

Cynthia Erivo's commitment to authenticity stems from a drama school experience where she felt betrayed and misused her gift.
She ensures authenticity by showing up as her true self, including "rough parts," and not wearing makeup in public.
Erivo builds genuine connections by deeply knowing people, remembering personal details like family names.
She identifies her tendency to question with "why" as a challenging aspect for others, driven by high expectations.

Cynthia Erivo defines "too muchness" as embracing all aspects of her identity.
This includes her physical presentation, such as elaborate nails and clothing choices.
She views these as forms of creativity and storytelling that initiate conversations and connections.

Cynthia Erivo defines true acting as telling the truth, rejecting "method acting" as dangerous and potentially self-harming.
She draws on her own experiences and emotions, rather than replicating a character's difficult circumstances, citing her role as sexually abused Tessa.
Erivo accepted the role of Jesus in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' to explore masculinity and femininity, and connect with her faith's message of love.
Her portrayal aimed for a balance between masculine and feminine energies, with love as the central tenet, despite polarized reactions.

Cynthia Erivo views the actor's role as being a vessel for characters, sometimes requiring setting aside one's own identity.
This involves embodying the role and then consciously stepping back once the performance concludes.
She believes maintaining 'self-ness' and authenticity, even in acting, creates a boundary between professional and personal life, ensuring personal well-being.