To receive two Oscar nominations for a film paying tribute to Harriet Tubman, a person whose heart and spirit are the embodiment of courage, makes this morning's news beyond anything I could have ever imagined, this is more than a dream come true. When I got the opportunity to play this incredible woman.

Cynthia Erivo

It was really about finding the map of her face, so we would look at pictures, discuss, you know, her downturned mouth, her eyes, how she would hold them, her body, where the tension was, try to find her voice. Because I knew I didn't want her to sound like me.

Cynthia Erivo

entertainment

Aretha Franklin strength, passion and soul are evident in Aretha Franklin everlasting legacy, not only as a transcendent artist, but as a humanitarian and civil rights icon, to have the opportunity to bring Aretha Franklin legacy to life and show the fullness of Aretha Franklin being, Aretha Franklin humanity and brilliance, is an honor. What I know and have learned about what my voice, as an artist, can do and the power in it has been highly influenced by Aretha Franklin. I feel privileged and excited to be a part of the sharing of Aretha Franklin genius.

Cynthia Erivo

entertainment

I do love to get my nails done.

Cynthia Erivo

get nails done love

I love that I can demonstrate that it's OK to look and be strong.

Cynthia Erivo

be-strong look strong love

When I was 15, I didn't think I was the prettiest at all. But then something happened when I was 20-something - I thought, actually, I really like what I look like. Just because I don't look like everybody else doesn't mean that I can't be just as beautiful.

Cynthia Erivo

thought look think beautiful

I travel with seaweed chips, edamame chips, tea, peanut butter, avocados. I always take my supplements with me because they're easy to carry.

Cynthia Erivo

me easy tea travel

I don't believe that many things are impossible to achieve so long as you put your mind to it and take the time to get it done.

Cynthia Erivo

you mind time long

The thing that disturbs me the most, being in England, is that on the screen we don't see very many of us - there aren't very many black girls. They don't make the roles for us, or they don't see us in those roles.

Cynthia Erivo

being see me black

I don't think it's different to be a black girl in England than it is to be a black girl from America. We all collectively share in a pain of displacement and not feeling like we quite belong in places.

Cynthia Erivo

feeling black pain girl

Watching Mum work hard made me do the same. I've watched her since I was little, and I've picked up on how hard she works and the fire she has in her belly.

Cynthia Erivo

work-hard me fire work

I always say that I want to play Serena Williams if they ever did a biopic of hers. I definitely want to do that, and I want to do some films.

Cynthia Erivo

say always want play

I've seen 'Hamilton.' I'm obsessed. The music is crazy.

Cynthia Erivo

seen obsessed music crazy

There are days when I'm completely obsessed with Kate Bush, and there are days when I'm completely obsessed with the Eurythmics. Then it's Aretha Franklin, then it's Lena Horne, then it's Ella Fitzgerald, then it's John Legend, then it's Michael Jackson. Music, to me, is like food, so I feel like whatever I need that day, I can get from a song.

Cynthia Erivo

day me music food

I'm a very, very healthy eater, so it's proteins, greens, proteins, and more greens - and lots of water.

Cynthia Erivo

more very healthy water

If you believe in chakras - head and heart - I think singing opens them up, like a wide open door.

Cynthia Erivo

you singing heart believe

What I want to see is more mixed casts. We need it. People need to be brave - in the real world, everyone and anyone is around. So if people get to see themselves on the stage, they'll want to come.

Cynthia Erivo

see brave people world

Meditation, yoga, working out, and eating well. That's my wellness. And I think occasionally you have to treat yourself, so if you do need to take yourself shopping, go take yourself shopping.

Cynthia Erivo

yourself you shopping eating

What's amazing with 'The X Factor' is that it gives people a chance who wouldn't normally have one. I couldn't go on it, because it would be, like, me being lazy, because I've definitely had my opportunities.

Cynthia Erivo

amazing me chance people

I would love to appear in 'Scandal,' something like that, or 'Grey's Anatomy' because I think they're incredible.

Cynthia Erivo

something think grey love

One of my favourite pieces is 'Antony and Cleopatra' - I'd love to be in that. Or an alternative version of 'Romeo & Juliet' where I get to play Mercutio, something like that.

Cynthia Erivo

something like play love