Acceptance Speech: Cynthia Erivo - Best Leading Actress in a Musical (2016)

[manders]

Imagining being a young Black woman winning your first Tony award for your Broadway debut and receiving it from the hands of AUDRA MCDONALD

[pjm]

I was a hard core Hamilton fan and was hoping Philippa to win. Then I saw The Color Purple performance and then my priorities got shifted around a lot 😂

[Whitleychic]

She is a once in a lifetime talent. The ONLY person I'm okay with winning over Phillipa.

[christiancastillo]

That "Hi mommy, look!" Got me bawlin. That's right Cynthia, make your momma proud. You deserved it.

[maggiejones]

The fact that Pippa didn't win but was the first up, clapping and cheering really means something. Not everyone will be that excited for someone who just won the Tony that they were also nominated for.

[amandalheureux]

I love Hamilton but Cynthia Erivo was a religious experience in this show. Well deserved Tony win.

[nikavance]

The fact that Phillipa was the first to give her the standing ovation speaks so much about her class as an actress

[e-linamarie]

"mommy, look!" WHAT IM NOT CRYING NO IM NOT

[divaslm]

She almost became a surgeon. Thank her mom for encouraging this woman to bless us with her acting and singing talents.

[erinchaters]

Her “hi mummy, look” is so pure and amazing, she deserved this award so much

[willwalker]

Jessie Mueller, Phillipa Soo, and Cynthia Erivo were all so good, that all of them deserved to win. It's a shame they were all nominated the same year though, 'cause only one can win. And Cynthia's performance as Celie was literally a one in a million thing that no actor before or after has been able to do to that role. So I think the ATW made the right decision. 😊

[dd]

I'm not crying, you're crying

[DJ]

I saw Cynthia Erivo in the Color Purple on Broadway AFTER she’d already won her Tony award for Best Actress. She sang “I’m Here” at the end as if it was going to be her last day on Earth! I kid you not! She did not have to sing it like that, and could’ve just half assed it, but she gave it her absolute everything. I was honestly wondering if that was gonna be her last night at the show, but it wasn’t. She still had more shows to sing that week and I’m sure she sang every single one as if it would be her last. It was completely mind blowing! She has ALL of my respect! 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾

[vinessawess]

I excepted to here a Southern accent! lol! i didnt know she was British!

[DJoy]

This was a tough year for lead actresses! I was rooting for Cynthia and Phillipa so I was sad when Phillipa lost but happy when Cynthia won! lol

[zenzenn]

And can we talk about how she was robbed of this year's Oscars?

[MatheusPereira-drzg]

Not me crying after watch this video from 5 years ago. I LOVE Cynthia, she is so pure hearted! ❤️

[pauladenice]

The Color Purple was her Broadway debut?! The talent omg

[naturalbby]

“Hi mummy look” that was so sweet I have no words I’m so filled with emotion😭😭🥺🥺🥺

[deitradouglas]

I was blessed to have flown from NC to NY just to witness this woman’s voice. My goodness she blessed my whole soul. One of THE BEST broadway shows ever. One of THE BEST voices ever hands down.