CYNTHIA ERIVO on Wicked, Creativity, and Becoming the Best Version of You | IMO

Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo joins Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson in the IMO studio for a powerful, heartfelt conversation about creativity, identity, ambition, and the courage to become your fullest self. Cynthia opens up about her journey from South London to Broadway and Hollywood, the determination that carried her through rejection and microaggressions, and the emotional toll of embodying iconic characters like Celie in The Color Purple and Elphaba in Wicked. She also shares the inspiration behind her upcoming book Simply More, the importance of embracing your “too much,” and how discipline, curiosity, and self-acceptance shape her life and creative process. Later, Michelle, Craig, and Cynthia answer a listener’s question about how to carve out time for creativity while balancing work, family, friends, and responsibilities. [00:00:00] Welcome to the New IMO Studio [00:01:10] Introducing Cynthia Erivo [00:03:05] Cynthia Reflects on a Big Year of Growth [00:05:00] Remembering Cynthia’s UN Performance [00:06:40] Why Cynthia Wrote Simply More [00:09:20] Creativity, Practice, and Artistic Discipline [00:12:00] Growing Up in South London [00:14:45] Being Told You’re “Too Much” [00:17:20] Early Moments of Realizing Her Talent [00:20:15] Finding Her Path to Acting [00:23:00] Getting Into RADA and Facing Challenges [00:26:40] Microaggressions and Pushing Through Adversity [00:30:10] Embodying Celie in The Color Purple [00:34:45] The Emotional & Physical Cost of Performance [00:38:30] Knowing Elpheba Was Meant for Her [00:41:50] How Wicked Connects with Audiences [00:45:55] Expanding the Story in the Movie Adaptation [00:49:20] Showing Up Authentically — On Stage and in Life [00:53:05] Cynthia on Identity, Style & Becoming Herself [00:56:40] Listener Question: Making Time for Creativity [01:06:40] Final Reflections & Parting Wisdom This episode is a masterclass in pursuing your passion, honoring your voice, and giving yourself permission to show up authentically — in art and in life. Subscribe to IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson on YouTube: Have a question for the show? Let us know at IMOpod.com Follow us on social! Instagram: www.instagram.com/imopodcasts TikTok: / imopodcasts Facebook: / imopodcasts X: https://x.com/imopodcasts About IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson Michelle Obama and her big brother Craig Robinson bring their unique experiences and candid perspectives to a range of personal dilemmas, from the everyday to the existential. Each week, they’re joined by a special guest to tackle audience questions with practical advice, terrific stories, and plenty of laughs. From dating and relationships to parenting and financial planning, IMO sees the iconic First Lady at her most relaxed and honest. This podcast will leave you laughing, reflecting, and feeling more prepared to tackle life’s challenges. About Michelle Obama Michelle’s passion for storytelling has set sales records, garnered awards and accolades, and earned her global acclaim. Her memoir, Becoming, spent over 130 weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers list, sold more than 17 million copies worldwide, and won a Grammy Award. American Factory, the first film produced by her and her husband Barack Obama’s media company Higher Ground, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2020. Upon its release in 2020, The Michelle Obama Podcast was the most successful original in Spotify history, bringing in more women listeners over 40 than any other podcast. Through the Obama Foundation, she founded the Girls Opportunity Alliance, which supports adolescent girls' education and empowerment around the world. Follow Michelle Obama on Instagram:   / michelleobama   Follow Michelle Obama on Facebook:   / michelleobama   Follow Michelle Obama on X: https://x.com/MichelleObama About Craig Robinson Craig is the Executive Director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and host of the Higher Ground podcast Ways To Win with Hall of Fame coach John Calipari. From 2017-2020, he served as the vice president of Player Development and Minor League Operations for the NBA’s New York Knicks. Previously, he was a Division I head men’s basketball coach at Oregon State and Brown, and spent more than a decade working as a trader in the investment banking industry. Most importantly, he is a husband and father of four. Follow Craig Robinson on X: https:/x.com/craigmalrob Follow Craig Robinson on Instagram:   / craigmalrob   About Higher Ground Higher Ground was founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama in 2018 to tell powerful stories that entertain, inform, and inspire—while elevating new and diverse voices in the entertainment industry. Learn more at https://highergroundmedia.com/ Follow Higher Ground on Instagram: instagram.com/highergroundmedia Follow Higher Ground on X: https://x.com/HGMedia