Fresh Air Podcast Summary
Episode: Cynthia Erivo Sings With 'A Bit Of A Smile'
Release Date: December 13, 2024
Host: Terry Gross
Guest: Cynthia Erivo
1. Introduction and Career Highlights
The episode opens with Cynthia Erivo performing "Defying Gravity," a signature song from the Broadway musical Wicked (00:17). Terry Gross introduces Erivo as a multifaceted talent recently nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in the film adaptation of Wicked. Erivo's impressive career trajectory includes a Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning performance in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple, an Oscar nomination for her role as Harriet Tubman in Harriet, and a Grammy nomination for the song "Stand Up." Additionally, she portrayed Aretha Franklin in the TV miniseries Genius: Aretha and has starred in the HBO series The Outsider. Erivo has also ventured into music with her album Chapter 1, Verse 1 and authored a children's book titled Remembered a Dream (01:24).
2. Portraying Aretha Franklin
Erivo delves into her experience playing the legendary Aretha Franklin. She emphasizes the significance of understanding Franklin's unique breathing techniques, which influence the emotion and meaning behind each song.
Cynthia Erivo (05:34):
"I use the song often to explain it because it's one. It's a beautiful song. And two, I had to really, really dig in and learn it. And three just is a wonderful example of how the breathwork changes."
Erivo recounts meeting Franklin backstage at The Color Purple and The Kennedy Center. She describes Franklin as disarmingly funny and humble, highlighting a memorable moment where Franklin echoed the last line of Erivo's performance, leaving her both overwhelmed and inspired (08:39).
3. Musical Influences and Techniques
Erivo discusses her deep admiration for Aretha Franklin, ignited during her childhood in South London. Growing up listening to Magic FM, she was exposed to a diverse range of artists, including Franklin, which fostered her passion for singing.
Cynthia Erivo (04:00):
"I was aware of how much I loved music and that I wanted to be a singer. And I just sort of fell in love with her voice."
She elaborates on the importance of breath control in singing, comparing it to punctuation in sentences. This technique allows singers to convey different emotions and meanings within the same song. Erivo provides an example from the song "Never Grow Old" to illustrate how varying breaths can alter the interpretation of lyrics (05:52).
4. Early Life and Education
Raised in a Roman Catholic household in South London, Erivo shares how her rebellious spirit led her to integrate gospel music into church choirs, despite resistance. Her innovative approach not only enriched the choir's repertoire but also ignited her passion for blending different musical styles (10:15).
Erivo attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in England, where she discovered her affinity for classical music and developed her acting skills. She reflects on how her time at RADA exposed her to diverse theatrical works, including Sondheim's songs and August Wilson's plays, which resonated with her personal experiences (12:20).
5. Personal Anecdotes and Family
Erivo opens up about her family background, particularly her mother's journey from Nigeria to the UK and her career as a Health Visitor. Her mother’s dedication to supporting new mothers and children deeply influenced Erivo's nurturing nature.
Cynthia Erivo (22:35):
"My mother is there to help you with. That's what her job used to be. And she sort of flew with it. She got Rose to the top of the ranks on that one."
She also touches on the emotional impact of her father's departure when she was sixteen, describing the heartbreak and the responsibility she felt in conveying the news to her family. This experience shaped her resilience and understanding of personal struggles (25:02).
6. Songwriting and New Album
Discussing her latest work, Erivo introduces her new song "The Good" from her album Chapter One, Verse One. The song emerged from a conversation about remembering positive moments amidst challenges, inspired by a friend's relationship struggles and subsequent loss.
Cynthia Erivo (27:44):
"The song is about remembering the good even when something ends. Maybe not in the best of ways."
Erivo shares insights into her songwriting process, highlighting the balance between upbeat melodies and heartfelt lyrics. She also touches on her vocal training at RADA, where she learned to integrate her singing and speaking voices seamlessly (16:13).
7. Navigating Life as a Short-Statured Individual
Erivo humorously addresses the challenges of being five foot one, from finding appropriately sized chairs to podiums. She reflects on how her stature sometimes leads to misconceptions about her strength and maturity, prompting her to assert her capabilities beyond physical appearance.
Cynthia Erivo (30:58):
"Because you're small, sometimes people... they often decide that because you're small. You're also childlike, which sometimes is really strange because you have to sort of correct people and let them understand."
8. Closing Remarks
The interview concludes with Erivo expressing gratitude for the conversation and her ongoing projects, including her role in Wicked. Terry Gross thanks her for her time and contributions to the arts (33:17).
Notable Quotes
-
On Breath Control in Singing:
“The breath, I think, tells you everything about what the person is trying to say.”
— Cynthia Erivo (05:54) -
On Meeting Aretha Franklin:
“I don't know if I needed anything more meaningful than that, to be honest. Because if the Queen of Soul can remember you as the person who can sing, well, wonderful.”
— Cynthia Erivo (08:55) -
On Overcoming Challenges in Singing:
“I have to sort of make sure that the stool is not too high for you to sit on.”
— Cynthia Erivo (32:23)
Conclusion
This episode of Fresh Air provides an in-depth look into Cynthia Erivo's multifaceted career, her deep-rooted musical influences, and her personal journey overcoming challenges. Through intimate conversation and engaging performances, Erivo shares the nuances of her craft, her experiences portraying iconic figures, and the personal stories that shape her artistry.
Timestamps
- 00:17 – Introduction with Cynthia Erivo performing "Defying Gravity"
- 01:24 – Overview of Erivo's career achievements
- 05:34 – Discussing breath control in singing
- 08:39 – Meeting Aretha Franklin
- 10:15 – Early life and gospel music in church
- 12:20 – Education at RADA
- 14:27 – Musical influences and acting
- 22:35 – Stories about her mother
- 25:02 – Father's departure and its impact
- 27:44 – Songwriting inspiration for "The Good"
- 30:58 – Discussing life as a short-statured individual
- 33:17 – Closing remarks of the interview
This summary was generated based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the key discussions, insights, and personal narratives shared by Cynthia Erivo during her interview on NPR's Fresh Air.