Top 10 Greatest Cynthia Erivo Performances

“Royal Variety Performance” (2013)
In 2014, British comedian Harry Hill’s “The X Factor”-inspired musical “I Can’t Sing!” premiered in the West End. It starred Cynthia Erivo as Chenice, a woman with the perfect backstory for a talent contest but no confidence in her talents. It’s almost laughable that Erivo would play someone who can’t sing—because she certainly can! In fact, she has, to borrow from her companion, “the voice of an angel.” She not only stuns with her incredible range but doesn’t miss a comedic beat, either. The show may have closed after just six weeks, but it introduced the world to a rising star. No wonder the other contestants didn’t want Chenice to audition!

Lincoln Center (2019)
Whitney Houston’s songs are notoriously tough to tackle, but Erivo effortlessly makes “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” her own. She doesn’t go too hard or too soft, and most importantly, she doesn’t simply try and replicate Houston’s sound. Every note shows off her incredible talent, and you can tell she and her band are having a blast from start to finish. What makes this number truly special is how she captures the essence of this iconic bop while making it feel brand new, like we’re hearing it for the first time. It’s a fresh, joyful take that celebrates both the original and Erivo’s unique artistry.

“The Kennedy Center” (2017)
The thing about “Somewhere” from “West Side Story” is that you can sing it pitch perfectly, but if you don’t pour your heart into it, the meaning gets lost. Thankfully, Cynthia Erivo doesn’t have that problem. She sings from deep within, connecting to the lyrics in a way that feels incredibly personal. Her voice fills the room like sunshine, with such outstanding control and tone that it’s like she’s pulling us into her emotional space. Of course, it goes without saying that the technical side is just phenomenal, too. Listening to her gives us hope that maybe, “Somewhere,” someday, every word she sings will come true.

“28th Annual Glaad Media Awards” (2017)
From the moment that first note leaves her mouth, we already have chills. Erivo sang “Imagine” at the GLAAD Media Awards to honor the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. She starts softly, letting her voice fill the room and wrap around everyone listening. You can feel her belief in every word as if she’s holding everyone affected by this tragedy and countless others in her heart. As the song progresses, she builds power, almost as if she’s trying to make her message heard by as many people as possible. It’s impossible not to get swept up in the emotion, especially as photos of those who lost their lives appear with her final note.

“National Memorial Day Concert” (2024)
As we’ve seen, Erivo wears her heart on her sleeve when she sings, and we have no doubt she touched many people at the 2024 National Memorial Day Concert. Her renditions of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Requiem for a Soldier” could bring tears to anyone’s eyes. However, the goosebumps we got from her take on “When You Believe” are something else! She pays homage to Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, yet it’s clear this is her interpretation of the song’s emotion. Her crystal-clear tone, extraordinary range, and pure beauty elevate the number to new heights. Paired with images of strength and resilience, her performance can uplift listeners and fill them with hope.

“BBC Proms” (2022)
Aretha Franklin is another of those powerhouse vocalists many artists might cower away from, but not Erivo. Her take on “Ain’t No Way” is nothing short of breathtaking. From the first note, her voice is so emotive that it grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. She infuses the song with such deep emotion, giving a nod to the original while totally making it her own. You can feel every ounce of passion and nuance in her delivery, spotlighting her incredible vocals. Also, her chemistry with her backing singers just makes the whole performance soar even higher. She also wowed everyone with her magnetic stage presence as she covered Etta James’ “At Last.”

“Next at the Kennedy Center” (2022-)
We could rave about Erivo’s flawless technique all day! However, what really makes her special is how she takes a classic like “Nothing Compares 2 U” and breathes so much new life into it that it’s almost like we’re hearing a brand new song. Her powerful voice is full of emotion and little details that just grab you. Plus, she captures the haunting melody and deep lyrics with an authenticity that few can. She brought that same magic to her cover of “Killing Me Softly” that night with Joaquina Kalukango, too. It left us in awe. Erivo has this incredible gift for transforming beloved songs into something truly extraordinary!

“46th Kennedy Center Honors” (2023)
You know when people describe someone’s voice as their instrument? This is what they mean. Erivo’s voice is a finely tuned instrument that can hit breathtaking notes and convey intense emotions. Her rich timbre adds so much depth and complexity to every performance. She flows effortlessly from delicate whispers to powerful crescendos. So, it’s no surprise she took on another legendary diva, Dionne Warwick. You can see Warwick light up just seeing Erivo on that stage—no pressure, right? Erivo pulls off vocal feats in this song that even some other well-trained singers might find challenging. Honestly, the Kennedy Center should’ve given out a second honor just for this performance!

“Harriet” (2019)
Erivo co-wrote and recorded “Stand Up” for the 2019 biopic “Harriet,” where she also played the title role. This soulful song speaks to standing strong in tough times, and few can deliver that message quite like Erivo! It was nominated for a Grammy, Golden Globe, Oscar, NAACP Image Award, and more. In the music video, it’s just her and that phenomenal voice we can’t stop gushing about. But honestly, adding anything else would distract from the raw emotion that flows from her. The song’s ending lyrics pay tribute to Harriet Tubman’s final words, and it’s truly moving to see Erivo carry her message forward with such passion.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

We Couldn’t Be Happier That She Was Cast As Elphaba, but She Clearly Has a Little Glinda in Her Too!

This Performance Has All the Elements & It’s Just Perfect

If We Could “Rewrite the Stars,” There Would Be a Version of “The Greatest Showman” Starring Erivo (Zendaya Would Be There, Too!)

Oh, How We Wish We Could Have Been There Listening Live!

Any Time She Starts Singing, She’s Basically Reaching Out and Touching All Who Hear Her

“70th Tony Awards” (2016)
If you caught Cynthia Erivo as Celie in the 2013 London production or the 2015 Broadway revival of “The Color Purple,” then you know just how mind-blowing her performances are! Those who missed it still got a taste of her magic when she sang songs from the show at events like the Makers Conference and “Good Morning America.” However, the performance that lives rent-free in our heads is her jaw-dropping rendition of “I’m Here” at the 70th Tony Awards! It’s just her and a captive audience—she starts off quietly, creating this amazing tension, and then bursts into a powerful crescendo that fills the Beacon Theatre! Seriously, our jaws are still on the floor!