Cynthia Erivo didn’t just become an actress. She became a force. She came from theater. She was on Broadway in ‘The Color Purple’. She won a Tony Award. She transitioned to film and proved she could carry major roles. She’s won Grammy Awards. She’s been nominated for Academy Awards. She’s performed at major award ceremonies. She’s appeared in massive productions. She’s sung. She’s acted. She’s hosted. She’s done it all with a level of commitment and intensity that’s almost unmatched in entertainment. She doesn’t do things halfway. She doesn’t show up and phone it in. When Cynthia Erivo commits to something, she goes all the way.And that’s exactly what she’s talking about here.
Quote of the day by Cynthia Erivo
‘If you’re going to go for a thing, there’s no point unless you’re going all the way.’Cynthia Erivo said this during an interview with The New York Times in September 2016. The interview was conducted by journalist Jacob Bernstein for the ‘Fashion & Style’ section of the newspaper. At the time, she was starring in the Broadway musical ‘The Color Purple’ and attending New York Fashion Week. She used this phrase to describe her bold fashion choices and her fierce, all-or-nothing approach to her acting career. She wasn’t just talking about a philosophy. She was living it. She was making bold fashion statements at Fashion Week. She was giving a powerhouse performance on Broadway. She was taking risks. She was committing fully.
What does it actually mean?
Cynthia Erivo is describing an approach to life and work that most people talk about but few actually practice. She’s saying that half measures are pointless. That if you’re going to do something you need to commit to it completely. Not just show up. Not just do the minimum. But actually go all the way. Put everything into it. Risk something. Make it matter.This is especially powerful coming from someone in entertainment because the industry is built on people doing things halfway. People taking roles just for a paycheck. People showing up and delivering a performance that’s technically fine but emotionally empty. People being strategic instead of passionate. People calculating instead of committing. And Cynthia Erivo is saying that approach is pointless. If you’re going to go for a thing, if you’re going to commit any energy or time or effort to it, then you have to go all the way.What she’s really talking about is the difference between ambition and commitment. Ambition is wanting something. Commitment is doing what it actually takes to get it. Ambition is easy. Commitment is hard. Because commitment means when you face obstacles, you don’t give up. When you face rejection you keep going. When you face difficulty, you work harder instead of backing down. When you face criticism you use it to get better instead of using it as an excuse to quit.Cynthia Erivo’s statement is also about authenticity. She’s saying there’s no point in doing something halfway because it shows. People can tell when you’re not fully committed. They can feel the difference between someone who’s just going through the motions and someone who’s actually all in. And if you’re going to put yourself out there anyway, if you’re going to risk failure and judgment, then you might as well go all the way because half-committed work gets criticized anyway. It gets judged anyway. It might as well be work that you’re genuinely proud of.In the context of fashion, which she was discussing in that New York Times interview, she’s saying don’t make safe fashion choices. Don’t wear something because it’s what everyone else is wearing or what you think you’re supposed to wear. If you’re going to make a fashion statement, make one. Go bold. Go all the way. Take the risk. Because playing it safe doesn’t protect you from criticism anyway. You might as well be criticized for something you actually believe in.This philosophy applies to acting too. When she’s doing a role, she doesn’t hold back. She doesn’t worry about whether people will like her character. She commits fully to who the character is. She finds the depth. She finds the truth. She goes all the way. And that’s why her performances stand out. That’s why people notice her. That’s why she wins awards. Because she’s actually committed.
Who is Cynthia Erivo?
Cynthia Erivo was born in London, England in 1987 and was one of the most remarkable, versatile entertainers in the world because of her phenomenal voice, her dramatic range, and her refusal to settle for mediocrity. As per IMDb, she started her acting career in the theater with several stage productions and made her breakthrough with ‘The Color Purple’. Her role in that show was so strong that she won the Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She rose to fame overnight.She easily made the leap to the screen and did a good job of it. She was cast in ‘Widows’ directed by Steve McQueen, demonstrating that she can compete with popular film stars. Her dramatic depth was shown in her performance as Harriet Tubman in ‘Harriet’, for which she was nominated for Best Actress in the Academy Awards. She has starred in ‘The Outsiders’, ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’, ‘Pinocchio’, ‘Godmother’ and many more movies. Her filmography is steadily expanding, with each project reflecting her dedication to excellence.Aside from the acting and singing, Cynthia Erivo has appeared at a number of award shows and has sung the National Anthem at many events, and she has spoken out on representation and authenticity in the entertainment industry. She’s won Grammy Awards for her music. She has been nominated many times for Awards. Her talent and dedication to her craft have been noted throughout the world.Cynthia Erivo’s talent is not the only thing that makes her special. She’s a woman of no compromise. She’s not a half arse. She invests herself into the role when she adopts it. She walks the walk when she’s leading a fashion life. When she speaks on her platform, she is candid on issues that affect her. She has demonstrated that it is not only about going the extra mile, it’s about going the whole nine yards, taking the chances and not playing it safe that makes the difference between the good and the great.
