Cynthia Erivo Reveals How She Landed Aretha Franklin Role

Cynthia Erivo wears a hooded dress while walking the red carpet at the 2019 Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on Thursday night (January 2) in Palm Springs, Calif.

The 32-year-old actress was joined at the event by her Harriet director Kasi Lemmons and producer Debra Martin Chase, as well as friend Lena Waithe.

Cynthia is going to receive the Breakthrough Performance Award, which Lena will present. Earlier in the day, she participated in a Q&A at a screening of Harriet.

On the red carpet at the gala, Cynthia talked about her role as singer Aretha Franklin in the upcoming series Genius.

“You got me an Aretha Franklin job,” she told Variety‘s Marc Malkin. “Basically, when you asked me on the carpet to sing one of my favorite songs, I sang ‘Ain’t No Way.’ And then, Mr. Clive Davis saw that clip and that’s how I’m playing Aretha Franklin right now. It’s your fault!”

FYI: Cynthia is wearing a Schiaparelli Couture dress at the gala.