In a powerful new interview, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo has shared profound insights into her decades-long estrangement from her father, revealing that she holds no expectation of reconciliation and is “so happy” with the life she has built. This candid reflection from the Wicked: For Good star provides a deeply personal glimpse into the resilience and self-assurance that define her remarkable journey.
Cynthia Erivo, the celebrated actress and singer known for her powerful stage and screen performances, has once again opened up about a deeply personal aspect of her life: her decades-long estrangement from her father. In a revealing conversation with Harper’s Bazaar for its November 2025 cover story, Erivo, 38, candidly discussed the emotional landscape of being disowned by her father at the age of 16.
The conversation underscores Erivo’s unwavering self-awareness and comfort with her present reality, asserting that she has “never daydreamed” about a future with her father because “it’s not going to happen.”
A Childhood Shaped by Resilience and a Mother’s Strength
Erivo’s early life in London was marked by a unique set of circumstances. Her parents, originally from Nigeria, fled the country years earlier amidst its civil war. Following her father’s decision to disown her and her younger sister, Stephanie, when Cynthia was 16, their mother, Edith Erivo, took on the sole responsibility of raising them.
This pivotal moment, though undoubtedly painful, laid the foundation for Erivo’s remarkable journey of self-discovery and strength. She reflected on this period, stating, “I don’t know what my life would be like if he was still around, and I can’t say whether it would be better or worse. Better not to find out.”
Past Reflections and the Power of Artistic Expression
This isn’t the first time Erivo has spoken candidly about her relationship with her father. In a 2021 interview with The Glossary magazine, she recounted the precise moment her father cut ties with her and her sister: “as they stood in the middle of a London tube station.” At the time of that interview, she noted that she had last seen him a decade prior, at a cousin’s wedding.
Her experiences profoundly influenced her artistic work. Her 2021 debut album, Ch. 1 Vs. 1, features the powerful song “You’re Not Here,” a poignant reflection on this very relationship. Erivo explained the song’s meaning: “This is me admitting that there are things that he’s missed and I’m sad that he’s missed them. There are things that he’s going to miss, and I’m sad that he’s going to miss them. There is a part of me that wishes I could have my dad in my life. But there’s also a part of me that’s actually very comfortable, because I’ve written this knowing that he’s not going to be a part of my life at all.”
Celebrating Chosen Family and the Spaces Between
Erivo has found solace and strength in her chosen family, a theme she eloquently expressed in a Father’s Day Instagram post in June 2020. She paid tribute to the influential men in her life who have stepped up in her father’s absence.
“In truth, the last time I had an interaction with my father was when I was 16… it wasn’t good… but here is the most wonderful thing about that moment, it has made space for some of the most incredible men who have created an army of strength and vulnerability and love and care around me,” she wrote in a caption on Instagram. “They have filled that room over and over.”
Her message continued, acknowledging “those men who make the choice to show up in the spaces between” and “those who are absent, who left the space for healthier relationships.” This sentiment beautifully encapsulates her philosophy of finding gratitude and strength in difficult experiences, transforming pain into purpose.
A Journey to Self-Assurance: From Elphaba to Erivo
As Cynthia Erivo prepares for the release of Wicked: For Good, where she plays the iconic Elphaba, her personal journey mirrors that of her character. She notes the parallels between Elphaba’s path to self-assurance and her own. “What I love is having had the chance to play her when she has to figure out what she is and play her again when she knows,” Erivo shared in her interview with People.
This deep understanding of herself, fostered through personal challenges and artistic expression, allows Erivo to approach both her life and her roles with exceptional grace and power. Her story is a testament to finding immense joy and fulfillment even in the absence of a traditional family dynamic, proving that true happiness is often forged through self-acceptance and resilience.
