Here’s The First Look At British-Nigerian Actress, Cynthia Erivo As Harriet Tubman
Last year, Tony, Grammy and Emmy winner, Cynthia Erivo was cast to play legendary abolitionist, Harriet Tubman, who brought hundreds of slaves to freedom in the 19th century, in an upcoming biopic. The biopic, Harriet, also stars Janelle Monae, Deborah Ayorinde, Zackary Momoh.
In a series of photos exclusively obtained byPeople, we get our first glimpse of Erivo as Harriet Tubman, and the Widows star has made an incredible and complete transformation into the historical figure.
Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman in Harriet (Photo: Glen Wilson/Focus Features)
Speaking to People about the movie, Erivo said:
“It’s a new way of looking at Harriet. She was a hero, and now we get to really tell her story because we haven’t really heard her story. It’s been long overdue.
I don’t think she set out to be a superhero.I think she just set out to do the right thing.”
And touching on the similarities between her and Harriet Tubman, which further endeared her to the role, Erivo said:
“I knew she was small like me. I knew she was 5′, or 4’11”. It fascinated me because I realize this woman was extraordinary because she was small and like me in every sense of the word.”
While preparing for the role, Erivo dove into history to learn even more about Tubman, and even paid a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. We are certain the British-Nigerian actress will do an outstanding job.
Harriet will open in cinemas in late 2019.
Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman in Harriet (Photo: Glen Wilson/Focus Features/People)
Americans Sign Petition To Prevent Nigerian Cynthia Erivo From Acting “Harriett”
“We will boycott any film or anything that is negative towards us (Black Americans)…Next time don’t put on your Instagram we’re all black to silence Black Americans…You take pride in your Nigerian culture. We take pride as being descendants of American chattel slavery/black American culture”
The Hollywood industry has witnessed Black American actors such as Will Smith play the roles of Nigerian Benneth Omalu in Concussion and Dwayne Johnson who also acted as Davis Okoye in Rampage.
The award-winning actress who is one step away from becoming an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscars, Tony) recipient responded to the criticism via Instagram:
She will not be the first to receive backlash. Samuel Jackson criticised Daniel Kaluuyafor getting cast in Get Out.