Cynthia Erivo is being candid regarding her estrangement from her father.
“I’m unsure what my life would resemble had he remained present, and I cannot definitively state if it would be an improvement or a decline,” Erivo, 38, expressed during her interview with Harper’s Bazaar, released on Tuesday, October 28. “It’s preferable not to discover. I haven’t entertained such fantasies, given their impossibility. And I derive immense joy from my current existence.”
Erivo’s interview, featured in the November 2025 edition, precedes the launch of her memoir, Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They’re Too Much, scheduled for release on Tuesday, November 18.
Within the book, she delves into her familial relationships, including her upbringing in London by her mother, Edith. The Wicked actress’s father reportedly departed from her and her sister when she reached the age of 16, also “disowning” them, as per the Harper’s Bazaar interview.
Erivo previously addressed their challenging dynamic in a 2021 interview, revealing that their last encounter occurred at a cousin’s wedding more than a decade ago.
“I’m acknowledging here that he’s missed significant moments, which saddens me,” she conveyed to Glossary magazine at that time, while discussing the song “You’re Not Here,” inspired by their strained connection.
“He will continue to miss important aspects, a thought that also brings me sadness,” she elaborated. “A part of me longs for my father’s presence in my life. Yet, simultaneously, I find a sense of peace in having composed this, accepting his permanent absence.”
Erivo stated that she is comfortable being “vulnerable” and openly sharing her family’s narrative.
“I’m unsure if I could have produced anything lacking in authenticity,” Erivo confessed. “My desire is for individuals to recognize the acceptability of discussing such matters. I aspire for them to find comfort and reassurance through my music. My sole intention has consistently been to remain truthful.”
The same approach extends to her forthcoming memoir.
“I’ve experienced abundant support through the sharing of these wonderful, novel experiences, leading me to believe I could aid others navigating their own life challenges,” Erivo expressed on Instagram in June, when introducing her memoir. “This book aims to assist anyone seeking to further realize their intended potential.”
She told Harper’s Bazaar that the title originated from her speech during the GLAAD Media Award acceptance in May.
“Even in times of quiet solitude, there remains a form of rebellion deserving of recognition,” she shared with the magazine. “My writing focused on how those of us illuminated, carrying brightly shining lanterns, should redirect their light back towards those uncertain of their path.”
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