Cynthia Erivo ‘Ain’t No Way’

Cynthia Erivo singing a Tribute to Aretha Franklin 'Ain't No Way'
BBC Proms 2022 - Royal Albert Hall

[@musingsnplaylists]

I don't think I have ever seen such an unselfish preformer. Like, you're the star and you're highlighting the backup singer? I cried.

[@quincycuthbert5408]

she had to that backup singer highlighted the song

[@willfeen]

it's tradition when performing this song. Whitney was so good at it

[@deelifeisgood]

I Love Exactly This About Her and the Voice!!!!!!! OUTSTANDING!!!!!

[@chaero1tooler]

@@willfeen im sorry but Whitney doesn't had the range for this song

[@willfeen]

@@chaero1tooler you don’t have to be sorry just search Whitney Uniondale NY 1994 Ain’t No Way

[@Blueeboi1]

Cynthia and backup singer killed it! Not many can reach the climax of this song without screaming, she did it flawlessly

[@marysalvi242]

@Alejandro Duran silky smooth...I will say it's even with Aretha's version & the high note wow!! Yeah, I'm 74 yrs old, I was 20yrs old when this came out, so I do not hesitiate, it was worth the 54 years to hear it and feel it the way it was meant to be embraced through the whole of mind/body/soul. This song is magical ~ 🕊🌠

[@mrericbell4448]

Yess ❤❤❤❤background vocal is amazing itself to

[@shaynarenee6220]

The background singer damn❤

[@dorothyesked1802]

Omg! Her the background vocals freaking amazing Aretha would be proud.

[@soulstarmusiclover1254]

Cynthia made Aretha proud. She made me proud because I’m serious about my Queen.

[@GeeBee909]

This is not a song, it's a sermon....and it is OUTSTANDING

[@annielorson6720]

I think that too!!!

[@richardallen5434]

Say it loud!

[@keciacurtis6944]

I think that’s why I was moved to tears! Especially when she hit that crescendo! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙌🏾

[@zuberiolushola2157]

💯💯😄

[@lovebug3078]

She's amazing! I keep replaying!

[@caroladams2074]

It's 2:43am in the morning and I am listening to all of Cynthia Erivo music and it's fabulous, her voice is just like butter.

[@janicepittman8241]

I am listening at the exact same time...days later.

[@JoshuaWilliams-kc4we]

Same 😭

[@eliandblueberries]

same here😭

[@kirkris7563]

saaaaaame started last night at 00:00 and started it again this evening 21:30 hahaha!

[@dnealove3070]

It's 1:05 am here and I'm doing the exact same thing... she's amazing!

[@webdamico]

Phebe Edwards (the backing vocal) is just amazing. She worked with Jessie J for many years. Since then, I've been following her 💜

[@JC-yy8iv]

She killed it! Cissy Houston’s backing vocal on this song demands real talent, and it’s just as iconic as that bridge

[@jjchockey]

Yes! I knew it was her.

[@sceanic]

That whistle tone is INCREDIBLE!

[@royaldiadem_]

Cynthia gave her own stage without shoplifting her talent… as their own… like many other artists.

[@eyesofthebeast]

@@royaldiadem_ jessie j gave her flowers too

[@aubainmc]

Her voice is so clean

[@brownbear112]

Omg what a perfect description, thank you 💕💕 I’ve been trying to describe her voice and you nailed it 👍🏽👍🏽

[@calendarbaby]

At this point, she’s got a pile of my wigs just sitting on her doorstep. This woman GIVES EVERYTHING

[@ajwriter5699]

LMAO

[@jamesgarrett7606]

Best comment

[@laylili6]

😂

[@tonisumblin2719]

😂😅

[@jacquelinejackson1672]

I agree with the singing and background vocals soprano and her singers was beautiful can we leave the weeds off she's beautiful just the way she is.

[@preciousbrown7962]

Effortlessly beautiful but Cynthia looking at the sister singing high and them keeping eye contact was like an unspoken conversation like go girl ❤

[@kimweidner7351]

YEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!

[@khalil.jcovington3802]

He

[@twilightjoi]

Right!!! I LOVED that part!!!

[@cherylanderson5450]

She can sing and her back up singer

[@fleetwood7538]

The, "let's show'em" look. 🫂😎

[@mommyissue]

Let's be real who isn't watching this masterpiece again?!

[@koda_thevast3035]

Baby this my first time watching it lol

[@janettyler6206]

Loved the fact that Cynthia shared the spotlight with the amazing Phebe Edwards singing background vocals. She wanted everyone to realize how amazing Phebe is. What a generous and kind artist. So proud and honored to be able to see and hear this stunning performance by these 2 very blessed singers.

[@ParlayPresh]

I loved that too. She doesn’t have to hog the spotlight and she knows it.

[@ameliacampbell6679]

I love the black WOMAN magic energy

[@vitayaboy]

you lift others on your way up

[@jojoone1099]

Turning her head towards her during the performance was such a gracious gesture.

[@ingridchristmas5991]

❤❤so true

[@jinx9106]

Goosebumps!! The clarity in her voice always gets me.

[@rupenimudunavukuiii5909]

Clarity at its finest!

[@venisglover5603]

Jinx that was my very first thought YES!!!

[@litawi7869]

Me too!!!!! And it has a youthful “girly-ness” to it when she sings in chest voice. Kinda like thee Ella!

[@itsmxt]

@@litawi7869YES!

[@mrcloudiesbestfriend]

No joke, I think this is in line with the best performances of all time. It’s quite literally an absolute perfect piece of music, and in my opinion is not only the best performance of this song, but again, one of the best performances of all time.

[@user333happyvibes]

EYE AGREE!!! YOU ARE ABUNDANTLY CORRECT!!! This performance when Eye first saw it, from the very first moment was one of the greatest performances Eye’v ever seen!!!!! Cynthia’s talent is FULL and HERE!!!

[@angelashepherd2788]

Hello ❤

[@goddessthyme8388]

The connection between her and that backup singer... CHILLS😍 so beautiful

[@coleb2020]

❤❤❤ I love it

[@litawi7869]

She’s moved me to tears with displaying such affection for a different person that was singing with her. She perfectly and elegantly shone some of her own spotlight on her With no words…I got chills and a frog in my throat. Smh. The back up singer was also just PERFECT! ❤🥰🥰🥰

[@TheeKaylaMarieOne]

That’s what I call a pull it out partner. Yes Lord 🥰

[@alfarizait]

No comment for this perfomance ANYMORE. She never failed to bring the soul, the technique of her singing. Not every "skilled" singer can deliver this difficult song perfectly, but she did. I'm amazed how Cyhthia appreciates the wonderful backing vocalists up there. Pure talent, pure soul.

[@andremestizzo]

No comments for her..theres no.words available to

[@gromplin]

I knew she was a skilled vocalist but the soul here is so RAW. Oooo this hit something deep. I had to stop everything I was doing and be rooted

[@SB-dw3yz]

YES nothing else to be said. Flawless performance. Opened up my musical taste bud's ...

[@japhya0378]

She bought the voice. But the soul is NOT THERE....

[@mireiification]

@@japhya0378 You're right. Technically perfect but she's not in the song. Patti tho... 😉

[@masago7507]

Anyone here in 2024??

[@wandasutton44]

Yes🎉

[@simoneperks1221]

Oh yes….

[@Cuttepiscis]

Hereeee

[@candacecoleman2370]

YES, I AM! 🎉🥂😂❤

[@faithdavenport5803]

Here

[@johnezomo7555]

This is literally the most balanced performance of this song I've ever seen. The entire accompaniment, the back up and the lead. The clarity of those high notes 😍. Balanced, with the right amount of expression to drive the emotions of the piece home.

[@carolynsherwen7324]

Totally agree, just wonderful, so perfect

[@jhaydeecee8016]

Wendy moten does it better

[@tyrmorris8155]

⁠@@jhaydeecee8016Wendy Moten sang well, but she sang it in a lower key. Erivo sang it in Aretha’s higher key and sang it better than even Jennifer Hudson. Moten emoted better, Erivo sang better.

[@madchen521]

Except for Aretha and her sisters.

[@reneeshairdesigns3739]

Exactly! First time I heard her. Had to look her up❤❤❤❤❤

[@monicafusilier9658]

I love the way she acknowledged and honored her background vocalists. Classy!!

[@jerrysmith4425]

Because they were working it all the way out!!!

[@sharonmurry9813]

I AGREE……they sang to each other then audience.I also LUV’D THE SEEMINGLY EFFORTLESS SHARED GIFT W/O STRAINED THEATRICZ….SO WELL DONE

[@joycelockett7032]

January 2025 & I'm still listening to Cynthia Erivo's Phenomenal Performance!!

[@kyliekaos]

Cynthia is AMAZING. This is truly a GIFT. This song is SO HARD to sing and she made it look easy

[@PatriciaBoley-dh3un]

Yes she did!!

[@aloysiusmuscellajr2659]

I didn’t realize I could be crying while simultaneously givin full on stank face. She did that!!! 😭🙌🏻🔥

[@Justher1130]

Lmaoooo my exact thought at the moment!!! 😂❤❤❤❤

[@nisha3d]

Absolutely ❤

[@angeldevine1841]

She tore this up… I mean TOE IT UP!! 👏🏾 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 that bridge was something else

[@lindagibson24]

Cynthia and her backup singers did that!! Made Aretha proud.❤️🔥🔥🔥🎶

[@markwhitbread7383]

Yes, the voice, the backing singers and the musicians. Great. Aretha will be singing along in a much better place.

[@daphneytennard3267]

why can't these people sing there own music...and leave ours alone...they degrade us...and mimic us at the same time. She has said a lot of nasty thing about BA.

[@OsheyBaddest]

@@daphneytennard3267 lol

[@rudolphdiaz5444]

@@daphneytennard3267 their *

[@Ijanee4806]

EXACTLY!!!

[@T.O.N.I.A.N.N]

I listen to this at least once a day

[@meekmeka7331]

@Toni adding it to my playlist ❤

[@joeycourtney9628]

this has to be the best rendition since the original like.... this shit is crazy

[@Inmyfrontpocket]

We can't overlook Jennifer's rendition now. That would be rude because J did a Sterling rendition of this as her and not aretha

[@Msd4-13]

This is so much better than the one she did a month ago.

[@xiomaramendoza4060]

Don’t forget about Patti LaBelle’s version

[@AlbertERHayes]

​@@Inmyfrontpocket J and Patti LaBelle both ❤

[@stevedoublen1641]

That backup singer is gonna make heaven, that's all I have to say 😂😂😂😂

[@FunkmasterP2000]

The way they sang to eachother was absolutely gorgeous 😍

[@joequiller8792]

Cynthia the queen would be so pride of you and your back ground singers may God Bless you all.

[@Krieky]

I will never understand how they were able to hit such absolute perfection in a live performance…From start to finish, this was exceptional singing, orchestration, background vocals, everything! You’d think they practiced this for weeks and months before this, but obviously that would be quite unlikely.

[@channingsmith454]

It’s the way Cynthia Erivo stands there almost completely still and belts out an incredibly run like it is…NOTHING!!! God, I love this woman. I almost threw my shoe at her. I could’ve never been in person for this, I would not know how to act😂😂😂

[@lstockton8468]

Listen...that is the test of a TRUE SANGER...when you can stand there flat footed and SANG YOUR FACE OFF like you are doing nothing but breathing, you know someone can SANG! Cynthia and Phebe SANG THEIR FACES OFF!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@susanmeertens606]

🤣🤣👏🏽🙌🏻

[@anthonyphilyaw5527]

🤣🤣🤣that is too funny 😂. So many people say that...if they could sing like that they would never stop singing lol. They sound mystical

[@robertbellavance6702]

I feel you oh do I feel you❤

[@channingsmith454]

FLAT FOOTED!!!! The audience wasn't doing enough for me😂😂@@lstockton8468

[@galatians4vs19]

She’s just unique and her voice carries a lot of emotions.

[@LonelyPrince15]

RIP Cissy Houston 🙏 She’s the original backing singer for this song.

[@nopjack7278]

RIP Cissy Houston...one of the impeccable soulful singers that has gone on to be at rest...Ms. Houston left the blueprint that Phebe Edwards followed to improvise that part and deliver it in her own way. Well done.

[@ginger8511]

Yes Sissy BLEW!!!❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@atlaslife3800]

One of the most important backup singers in all of the music in that period. Absolutely amazing.

[@cammy60467]

The backup singer is killing it 💙

[@i_am_peaches2rawtid]

Ain't No Way I'm still breathing after that. That performance took my breath away...😍

[@evaevgenis8664]

I thought I'd stop breathing, too, half-way thru the song. Amazing voice!

[@AlenArakelyan-mo5vu]

Cynthia is one of the best voices in the history of humanity

[@alexisday644]

Yes!!!

[@kalangwakashoka5601]

Exactly

[@giancarpio7236]

She’s not even top 10 of this songs cover

[@iziahdavis3561]

@@giancarpio7236she absolutely is and even aretha herself would agree😂

[@blackdiamond2977]

Are you nuts? This women just sings, you need to listen to the original singer who sings with soul which this womsn does not have.

[@latifahjenkins]

That backup singer was flawless and Cynthia is just timeless but that backup singer was holding that note babyyyyyyy .

[@znomad3867]

Vocal masterclass! Kudos to the background vocals. SLAYAGE!

[@sadrasutherland5081]

The Background singer is so proud of the moment...😇

[@kendrickrodgers9435]

This is the BEST cover of this song I have ever heard… I almost brings a tear to my eye, joyful tears that is..

[@kyrobb9663]

Definitely tears! Of joy

[@stardustboy94]

Jhud‘s version is THE BEST… this lacks soul sounds like a broadway gig.

[@kendrickrodgers9435]

@@stardustboy94 I firmly disagree…

[@zahraaesmael342]

Stick to Jhud if you like screaming and lack of technique and dramatic choice@@stardustboy94 Ledisi and Cynthia did it best when it comes to covers/ tributes

[@reneeshairdesigns3739]

She touched my soul❤❤❤

[@je5485]

This girl can sing anything and make it her own! I love the fact she shared the stage with her backup singers specially the lady who "its the high note so beautifully. And the band did a fantastic job and the soundsystemwas just impeccable!

[@renegaderunner332]

She is the most talented performer of this most recent generation!❤

[@sikejae]

I remember stumbling across Cynthia probably exactly a year ago and was wondering why she hadn’t blown up and now everyone knows her 🥲 it’s beautiful to see. Her voice is INSANE.

[@ALEXNDAHALELE]

And the way she powered through the climax of the song with so much ease. She is a beast👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@rochellebarabin5080]

Her back up singer hitting those high notes on point it’s just awesome!

[@garrettokeefe7952]

I’ve listened to this on repeat for an hour and am still getting full body chills every time through

[@cherylwyche641]

Can’t won’t stop watching this 🔥🔥 🔥

[@deepaknayakmanel8581]

Cynthia is a genius...can do it all...act, sing. Beautiful artist!

[@osielisaacrodriguezsandova5554]

she has a voice like soft velvet but she also knows when to take the power out of her voice she killed this 🔥

[@prosperthevillain]

MY GOD she’s just as gorgeous as her voice

[@shirinchariakin3467]

2:20 my favorite part

[@katiemcteague]

Cynthia is a vocal beast. Such incredible talent and versatility. Love her.

[@lyrontrayofficial820]

Until this performance, I thought it was impossible to hit those high notes without belting. This woman really killed it effortlessly. Such a silky performance, front up and back up! 💚💚💚

[@fatherbewithme]

Cynthia's head voice is beautiful and impeccable

[@livzamanthabadong2571]

That backing vocals are insaaaaaane!

[@ACKNOWLEDGEMENT85]

Yeah, I came to this section to acknowledge the entire accompaniment!! But the way she looks at her background singer each time she takes on those notes and that run…. Goosebumps! JUST AINT NO WAY I could have hit them notes! Hats off to everyone on that stage!

[@l1cent]

Beautiful done she brought me to tears 😢

[@barbarastewart8066]

Just classically beautiful and peaceful. No screaming, all trained vocals. Blessings ❤️

[@brownbear112]

If I had a third of her craft, I wouldn’t be able to shut up 😅lol She just has IT!! ❤

[@deanmendoza6310]

Back up singers killed this performance as well as Cynthia. Bravo!

[@lutoph]

My. Gosh. Flawlessness. From her stunning beauty to the backup singers to the utter perfection of her vocal. Ms. Cynthia Erivo is a treasure. Go on and give the woman her damehood already.

[@jaleesarobinson6432]

The funny thing is she playing through the whole song. Just having fun. She is so talented. Lawd have mercy.

[@pinklemonade6597]

What a gift it is to be alive the same time as once in a lifetime singers like Cynthia just wow

[@kellycumberbatch9171]

Amazing and I love how she turns to the backing singer every time she does her solo 🥰🥰💜

[@marilynsouthern1612]

She was mesmerizing. I can’t stop listening to her sing this song. I wish someone could get her back on track.❤️

[@vanessagillon17]

Back on track? What I miss?

[@Aundie731]

What did I miss? Back on track??

[@cedrickcastro2163]

it's almost 2025 and I'm still inlove with this performance

[@terahutt726]

Let's talk about the background singers. The icing on the cake with Cynthia amazing vocals.❤

[@newtap]

This is my favorite Aretha song. I never would have imagined ever loving a cover of it. Ms Erivo KILLED it.

[@Paaaaige]

Will never get tired of this rendition 😌

[@GlendaClarke-ir2cd]

That background vocalist is phenomenal within her own right. Shine, ladies!!! 🌹🎤

[@2xUNO]

Coming back to the video that made me discover her talent and her beautiful existence after watching her give the best performance I have ever seen with Wicked 😭

[@valkerey_reign]

From the back up vocals to Ms. Erivo 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Lizmarie775]

Ms. Erivo has the strength and clarity to pull off ANY song in the universe. She makes it look easy.

[@casriel11]

my favorite rendition of this song, oh cynthia

[@Weirdmiles]

2025, still can’t get over this 🇳🇬

[@firewind3509]

This made me cry, she’s amazing

[@firewind3509]

3:30

[@siphesihlenkosi3894]

How is this not on a hundred million views??!! Wow! What vocal prowess!

[@deniseevans7960]

What! Those background singers are top notch!

[@d_m5_]

she's so good I cried

[@LondonHasFallin]

Underrated as they come. Cynthia just needs that one album to bring her the recognition she deserves. I wish Adele could write her some songs. 🙌

[@ShemSidden]

Cynthia,bar none,you sang the pants off this song!Take a bow!

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

or an album of duets?

[@gapless1001]

Here in 2024 and always a fan! Will never feel differently! Girl power speaking truth to power! I stand with these ladies!

[@angelheart4366]

January 2025….Excellent. She sang it very close to Aretha’s original without going into all sorts of unnecessary fireworks, keeping the original intimate feeling and sadness. Plus she tackled the bridge masterfully.. She has a very pleasant tone too.

[@autumnperfect1993]

If you don’t listen to this song at LEAST 3x on repeat… It Aint No Way

[@algrina04]

This song has got me in trance...

[@marisaorlando3658]

holy crap! her voice, stage presence, the interplay between her and the backup singers, just wow

[@shaib8284]

Cynthia’s control and artistry is out of this world! Every performance of hers is an experience!

[@Neda.picsure]

Her voice is like butter so smooth

[@FromAbove01]

anyone here in 2025?

[@albalopez2082]

Me.

[@mardigrassnowballs3258]

Yes!

[@shxdwyt7166]

❤

[@terriw27us]

Yep

[@normansagarino1330]

Because of Carmelle in TnT

[@brittaneosborne]

The background singer is everything in this! I love Cynthia, but those 2 together are chefs 💋

[@ashley.taylor174]

This is definitely a song that requires strong back up singers and they did not disappoint! Chef’s kiss!

[@2chocolatechild]

@ 2:44 the chills 🥶 🥶🥶🥶 began 🙌🏾🙌🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 WHAT A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE WOW SIS 🫶🏿 CHEF'S KISS

[@hcrossley9365]

She gives me chills every time she sings, the beauty, power and tone of her voice is something else!!

[@andremosherice-carter3172]

3:07 am in Houston and im crying watching this 🩷

[@planofdestiny0011]

She KILLT this...her voice is so beautiful and effortless...and Ms. Phoebe hit those notes with such perfection...this whole performance was just amazing and it is on "repeat" !

[@thickknightgaming]

Beautiful and flawless both of them touched my soul

[@MAKEITmakeSense-]

Cynthia is trained exceptionally well as she uses all the proper singing mechanics. You never see her external jugular vein popping bc she never strains

[@vincetrevino2029]

Her voice transcends dimensions I stg 😩

[@tonnys453]

her voice has so much ease and control. its insane! she also makes the audience feel so comfortable whilst watching her.

[@lilynaw3767]

Wow! Amazing voice and she is not just a singer, she is the art herself.

[@katmala]

2:45 thanks im crying now 😭 literal chills

[@lucasandreboaventura9820]

She's simply one of the best vocalists of our genation

[@kalangwakashoka5601]

THIS

[@OsheyBaddest]

Definitely

[@Amaso.thebeads]

wow, I'm speechless

[@santpaps]

BG singers nailed it!!

[@mistynorman3172]

At 2:59 when Cynthia and that beautiful and amazing background vocalist shared that moment together was everything

[@ShaciJames]

OK so we know that the soloist is doing everything she is supposed to do vocally but can we give some love to these background singers?! This performance was so well-rounded. Love it!

[@brianabroxton-wilder4864]

Cynthia was amazing and her back up singer voice was the icing on the cake and she was stunning I mean just beautiful

[@linedanzer4302]

I always considered that song a *semi-duet* with Aretha and Cissy Houston. Love the song and love this rendition. Well done!!

[@lolitarichardson8500]

Yup!👍🏾

[@melaninenriched7844]

We aren't act le cousin Brenda wouldn't kill it during the live performances of this song

[@denyshadials5702]

Every time I listen to her I hear multiple time periods. The character of her voice is impeccable.