Alfre Woodard & Cynthia Erivo | Actors on Actors - Full Conversation

In their Actors on Actors conversation, Alfre Woodard and Cynthia Erivo talked about their films "Clemency" and "Harriet" and how Erivo started singing when she was 5 years old.
Read the full story: bit.ly/343Kauc
bit.ly/VarietyS...
/ variety
/ variety
/ variety

[@AmariHetep]

Cynthia’s reasoning for not wanting to sing certain songs is so eye-opening, and it also makes me appreciate her singing “I’m Here’” on Terrell’s Show even more. She’s so right - we tend to forget that singers are actually human beings who sometimes have to put themselves in the appropriate emotional state to execute certain songs.

[@mysteriousc.6718]

"You don't realize how much a person has gone through until you start trying to retrace their steps." - Cynthia Erivo

[@janelm7645]

i could listen to cynthia’s voice forever, it’s so soft and gentle, it feels like what it feels like when someone plays with your hair😌

[@msicecreammouth]

I don't know who you are or what you do. But know this! Just from that descriptive phrase, I sense that there's an artist in you. A writer maybe? If you haven't realised it as yet, take the time to sit with yourself, to sit within yourself for a period of discovery.🙂

[@Dee-xb9mt]

This is a brilliant interview Alfred Woodard is a mentor

[@whoopsydaisy6389]

Alfre has this way of elevating any setting she's in. ❤

[@jakeornot6306]

And the only reason I came to this video.

[@kendaldeaunta]

I loved the opportunity to hear from Alfre Woodard. I've always felt like she is such a vessel of knowledge and experience. This conversation between these two was amazing.

[@oliviaturner7388]

Cynthia is an icon, God’s creation indeed! An angel on earth that we’ve been blessed with. What a gift, what an honor to hear her sing! Wow!

[@kevindurhamworship]

Alfre Woodard is timeless

[@Tilapio.]

Two beaultiful and talented women having a nice chat.

[@Mkym365]

M. Souza Absolutely Beautiful❤️

[@tlovehater]

Alfre Woodard can get it! She's beautiful.

[@vividesu9943]

cynthia's voice is sooooo soothing and beautiful, graceful, warm... i could listen to her talk forever

[@eamonndeane587]

And if you think her Speaking voice is great, just wait until you hear her sing....

[@UKLeonie]

Brilliant thespians of different generations showing the range within their craft, well done variety.

[@kitxnx]

Cynthia has such a beautiful way of speaking and her voice is so calming. Both are incredibly talented!

[@GETOSUPASTAR]

I love seeing these two beautiful, talented Black women together. They have to do a movie or a play or something. I could totally see them as Mother & daughter... ❤

[@user-yg1pe6wt2f]

Yes!! I'd love to see that ❤

[@GETOSUPASTAR]

@@user-yg1pe6wt2f 👍🏿

[@latifaa.s2215]

I took a couple of lessons away from this interview, but the most profound one: Cynthia's sitting posture- leaning forward so as to capture every word from the legendary Ms. Woodard😊. She's goona go far with this kind of humility.

[@divaslm1]

Two jewels and phenomenal women, Cynthia Erivo and Alfre Woodard. Thank you for sharing this. I love how eager and appreciative of Ms. Woodard's career you can see in Ms. Erivo. This is a great respect that the younger generation should have for the older generation of actors. This sister is the real deal from the UK. #Salute

[@marcusjoe3618]

In case you needed another reason to love this Actors on Actors series. Well done Variety, WELL DONE

[@PalmurcioWorld]

Woodward has such an elegant and polished presence wherever she is, such an eloquent woman with a mesmerizing voice.

[@arbidayoung1308]

That's what makes her so powerful, she doesn't sing from a shallow place to just entertain people but with Conviction and purpose. She sings to inspire and then entertain.

[@mikegardens]

Alfre Woodard is a beautiful women inside and out. That was an incredible meeting of two amazing artists. I'm on a Cynthia Enrivo binge right now. I want to know more and more about her. Thanks for making this conversation happen.

[@Mkym365]

Love seeing my Two Favorite people together❤️ Alfred Woodard + Cynthia Erivo

[@numba1djj]

That hand clap they did made me feel like I was chilling with my friends 😁

[@loveannbea]

I wasn't ready for it to end!!!!😭❤☺ great time with these two beautiful souls✨💫

[@innerblackbeauty8815]

This is dream pairing; I clicked so quick on this video!!

[@ivannano]

'We already do. We just need to make it official' :-) Love Alfre.

[@nate.creating]

This discussion was beautiful and powerful. Cynthia Erivo inspires me.

[@NinaC]

Goodness two beautiful women! Variety you are killing it with these pairings!

[@DianeCorriette]

Two amazing women. Such a great conversation between them both. Love how much they love their art.

[@mckayfam3090]

Beautiful talented women

[@crystallam7335]

Beautiful beautiful pairing. Wonderful women, wise and heartfelt words. I’m very moved!

[@christopherlewis7115]

OMG!!!!!! Two beautiful, talented black queens! I love watching these videos.

[@willyoulisten9698]

Alfre woodard is one my favorite actresses of all time!! She is so underrated & underworked in my eyes. Don’t get me wrong she works but not enough i love watching her !! She worked with damn near every actor in the world & doesn’t get the recognition. She’s a queen !!!

[@hayesmoses7754]

Black girls/women ROCK!

[@deldee]

I was waiting for Alfre to say “pot to piss in”, and she didn’t disappoint.

[@Hussein_Nur]

Great conversation.

[@sablesenegal7488]

Alfre Woodward is one of my favorite black actresses since the 1980s when she costarred on the TV series St elsewhere with Denzel Washington.

[@wandrahunt7360]

You both were open to learn and show each other who and what you are .

[@arielorozco3926]

This should have way more views, from just raw talent alone. But lemme tell you, baby. These women! Imagine being this gorgeous. The class, the poise, the honest insight. What a privilege to see this.

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

Have always thought Alfre is one of the most beautiful people. She has not aged a bit. And Ms. Erivo's Aretha was a monumental achievement. Both are great actresses.

[@noellenn2122]

There's been some brilliant pairing this awards season on Actors on Actors, this one being yet another one of them. Bravo, Variety (corrected from previous mistake which credited Vanity Fair. 😶)

[@lilypoon1175]

Vanity Fair?

[@noellenn2122]

@@lilypoon1175 oops!! 😶 thank you for pointing out the embarrassing fubar!

[@tvt.v.6722]

This is by far my favorite actor on actor interview. Two queens who are the similar by quite different too broadening my perspective and knowledge of this wonderful art called acting. This is the moment I realize who I want to be.

[@yummyikissedagirl]

The picture symbolizes the shoulders we stand on, beautiful xx

[@AngelLoveQuinnx]

Cynthia talking to living legend and hopeful mentor Alfre Woodard. Wow what a video.

[@tmalone2530]

Alfre is a treasure. Such an incredible talent.

[@mac_c]

Alfre looks amazing!!!

[@dorlethalytle2841]

Cynthia Erivo, brought me to a place! Memories flowed as I heard her sing Stand Up. I never played attention until then. I am writing a book about my childhood, miracles in my life, my predator, my funny time, my children. I have at least 10 books to write and I am 70 yrs old. I need really know about my people until I heard her sing. I used sing too. Thank you for making me feel again! Love ya Dee

[@jakabpolyak8015]

This is masterclass. I'm blown away.

[@Eddiig]

“Picasso put the eyes in front of the face” Lmfaooo that was funny as hell that was a good example 6:05

[@CharlesWarrenOnline]

Two powerhouse actors !!

[@ruthwright6247]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video with two Amazing Actresses.

[@YESimaLADY]

Anyone else feel warm and secure after watching this?? 🙋🏽‍♀️

[@LivG26]

Such an amazing pairing with these two!

[@tonyareed5083]

@14:11 Alfre Woodard: (paraphrase): "As a singer do you feel that people just want to hear your voice as a singer, or do they want YOU?" Cynthia's response is honest, and what I have always felt in my heart, as an Operatically trained Singer: "They want the VOICE, and how that makes them feel. They do not really care about you." I think that Singers who can acknowledge this fact, and do what Cynthia did (as explained in her response) are the key to a long-standing Singing career. The Singer MUST take care of themselves, first and foremost. The public WILL ALWAYS BE THERE as long as you can move them with your singing.

[@nateskii]

What a great treat listening to these two great women ❤️

[@AnthonyUtomi.]

Isn’t Cynthia just lovable??!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@RyceTV]

Thank you Variety for this series. As an actress, I can always find new tools and new ideas to make me better. This series and Roundtable always reminds me that entertainers are people too and there is always something in their story that I can relate to. And when I can relate to their stories, I feel a sense of affirmation, that I belong here. Thank you for that.

[@megt4738]

This was just simply one of favorites

[@d8nya1]

what a gift

[@adumichael2324]

I could watch these two talk all day! I enjoyed every bit of this

[@Eclectic_espresso]

“My favorite place to be in the world is between ‘action and cut’. “ Yaaaaaaas!!! 🙌🏾

[@vh6307]

ONLY she can say such & have a choir of believers!!😊

[@stessieegouy]

My favourite segment on variety is back! It feels so good to watch all these interviews

[@walterjackson-heron4776]

So awesome

[@patriceirby9548]

I love your talents. You are awesome.

[@dir9893]

Ugh, I love these two. Seeing them together makes me wonder why Alfre didn’t play Harriet’s mother in the movie.

[@tonyareed5083]

Alfre Woodard and Cynthia Erivo. These women are Actors actors. Meaning, when actors look to previous actors to study? Alfre has BEEN that one, for years. Moving into 2024, with the Kennedy Center's Honor for Ms. Dionne Warick under her belt, and a future co-starring role in "Wicked" the movie, Ms. Erivo has now joined the ranks of those future generations will look to for guidance in stellar work. 😀

[@ThrivewithJesus]

“ i can memorize passages " I learn my lines in hair and makeup- gifted lady

[@katarzynakustra4368]

Cyntia your voice is great, but your soul is even greatest.

[@ufomechanic11]

That has been such a great conversation!

[@allegralockett1567]

This is a beautiful and eye opening interview.

[@stephaniebradford8535]

Great conversation 👍 to listen to while getting ready for work!!!!!

[@isabelaoliveira9270]

This video should have more views...

[@Renould2010]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿💯💯💯Beautiful and, Gorgeous Actress of Creation.

[@medoingrandomthings4288]

Oh my goodness they are so naturally beautiful!!!

[@yafabulous4683]

Love this show

[@SpuddySince86]

Great interview!!! ☺️

[@doointhedoo]

Her argument scene with Patrick Stewart in Star Trek First Contact brought me here. "Jean Luc blow up that damn ship"!!! :)

[@RyceTV]

I can totally relate to that weird phase that Cynthia was talking about. When it was time to focus on what I wanted to become, the more practical professions was what was pushed. I heard it from most of my peers. There was only one classmate who knew she wanted to be a stripper. However, I knew I wanted to be in theatre to act and sing. However, I didn't want to be a starving artist. When it came to picking a major in college, I still didn't know what to do. My mom suggested communications and that my minor be music performance and that's what I did. I ended up changing my minor to English Comp to graduate "on time" and because I loved stories. Last year, I started acting professionally. I have dreams of being on Cats, Wicked, and Lion King.

[@justinaragland3025]

MRS. ALFRE THANK YOU!!! I WISHED MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE PUSHED ME TO SING BUT SHE HATED ME TO SING SO I STOPPED!!!

[@gule55]

Alfre Woodard should be the front runner for the Oscar but for whatever reasons is Renee. At least, I hope she gets the nomination because I'm not sure if she will get in.

[@gule55]

@Diego Pisfil The nomination will be her reward.

[@xfiler-gl7nc]

Diego Pisfil you mean the award winnoa Ryder should have won😂.

[@rahsaanephriam48]

Cynthia is so much younger than Alfred but I kept waiting for her to go allllllllll the way back and ask her about how she prepared as a young actress for her role in The Burning Bed. This was a great sit down tho!

[@ShashanaCO]

Love Alfre

[@takingitonedayatatime7851]

2 Beautiful Black Queens On 1 Screen❤🙌

[@kyriesanchez4122]

This is so good.

[@mycontainergarden]

I LOVE ALFRE

[@deewilliams7984]

They should do a movie together. Would be awesome! African ancient queens.

[@debbiep99]

I never saw this one?! Found it searching for Alfre

[@mrscarnegie]

The algorithm is finally getting its act together to show me this. Why has it taken 3 years?!

[@marnyalken17]

Wow. To of the best. My respect not only as a woman but more than that!!!

[@gooneybird808]

God bless

[@lilypoon1175]

cool tones and warm tones.

[@Iambrianjohns]

Lily Poon exactly I wonder why they did that

[@chenieves8976]

Excellent. CYN. LUV. 1

[@cherylkurucz8852]

You are both so amazing!!!!!!!!!

[@ginafriend1690]

Two Fabulous Women

[@Destiinyy3]

I completely know the feeling of going to school with “brain boxes” as Cynthia put it. I’m more on the art side of a career, while the majority of people in my school want to be lawyers, doctors, teachers and all that.

[@moni2415]

Alfre Woodard is 67???? She looks great!

[@zargoogle6914]

So graceful 👸🏽💖

[@musicandtheater7681]

Im watching still

[@Ozymandi_as]

If Harriet was as misconceived and badly executed a film as some commenters here say, then the field is clear for them to make a better one.

[@sharonhoward5831]

2 Great Actresses speak on RealTalk

[@dorlethalytle2841]

How do I send Cynthia copies of my books as they are complete. Just a note - I sang silent night in front of grade school when I was nine. Your voice is so perfect. You sing from your heart and I know how it feels!

[@DD-jg8xr]

It might be a long shot but try dming her on Instagram!