Broadway's Cynthia Erivo Writes Passionate Letter Explaining Why Performers' Views Should Be Respected

Cynthia Erivo is one of the biggest stars on Broadway today thanks to her Tony-winning performance in The Color Purple and she’s fed up with people saying performers should not be allowed to express their opinions.

Actors, musicians, and other artists have been attacked in the last few days after the Hamilton cast respectfully delivered a message to VP-elect Mike Pence following a performance of the musical.

Cynthia has grown very close to the Hamilton cast, especially original star Leslie Odom Jr., over the past year.

“I keep reading that people on stage should ‘shut up and perform’ that you the audience ‘pay us to entertain’ I hear ‘dance monkey dance’ I hear ‘you aren’t real’ ‘don’t think just act/dance/sing,’” Cynthia wrote on her Facebook.

“I AM SICK OF IT!! We (if we are lucky) are all paid to do our jobs. The difference between me and you is, I get to help you escape, I get to help you work through your issues, we provide way more than entertainment,” Cynthia added. “Those kids you keep insulting for playing dress up, are doing something you forgot how to and that is using imagination. When you so lack the charisma you need to convince people of a point, when you need to call on peoples hearts, we are the ones you call for help. Though it is hard to comprehend the fact that what we do is hard, it is!! But because we are super human, we make what we do LOOK easy. We eat no’s for breakfast and fight for the yeses we get. Then pour everything we have out for you!!”

Click inside to read the rest of Cynthia Erivo’s open letter…

“At your birth, at your death, at your wedding, at your breakup, when you wake up, before you sleep, that music you play is by a performer. We are there.
That song you’re humming is written by A PERFORMER!! Oh and you, the audience are not the ones who pay us, trust me! So don’t you worry, you pay for the seat you’re in. So sit back and relax.

It is because we are human, we have the RIGHT to have a view on what happens in the world we exist in!! I happen to enjoy intelligent conversation about all things, politics included, most of us do!!! collateral damage of having a functioning brain.

I am VERY proud of what I do, I am proud that when you need to leave your life, you turn to us, we are the drug and the dealer and yet we never hurt you. The thing you degrade, is the thing I use to take care of my loved ones and the ones I don’t even know!! Because of what I do, I’m able to understand so many walks of life that narrow mindedness is impossible and unacceptable. We can make people listen without saying one word. I’d say that’s a pretty powerful tool, you might want to have that tool on your side.

PERFORMERS OUT THERE!!! I LOVE YOU, I APPRECIATE YOU, I KNOW YOU TAKE YOUR HEARTACHE AND JOY AND GIVE. FOR THOSE WHO NEVER SAY IT,

THANK YOU.”