The 'Harriet' actress is saddened by the lack of diversity at this year's nominations for the 92nd annual Academy Awards and vows to fight for change in the entertainment industry.
- February 3, 2020
AceShowbiz - Cynthia Erivo has admitted being the only woman of colour nominated at the 2020 Oscars has been "a real eye-opener."
The 33-year-old is the only non-white star to receive a nomination in the acting categories at the awards show, and is up for both Best Actress and Best Original Song for "Harriet", in which she portrays famed abolitionist and political activist Harriet Tubman.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the star confessed the nods are "a moment for celebration," but also reflected on the wider implications of the lack of diversity in the shortlist.
"It can't just be me alone. There's just such good work going on and this may sound fatalistic, but I would hate for people's work to have gone by and then for us to have looked back and go, 'Oh, I wish we would've given roses,' when people aren't there to actually receive them," she said. "I don't want us to do that."
She added, "To be in a room and not being able to see other actors (of colour) who are nominated, to not be able to share that with another black actress is saddening. I would love to share this moment with someone else."
Erivo recently vowed to fight for change in "the way they (entertainment industry) cast things, change the way they line up producers and directors and writers," adding that diverse voices "reflect the world that we live in," while reflecting on the issue during a Television Critics Association panel for her new HBO show, "The Outsider".
The Academy Awards take place on February 9, 2020.
