British-born Nigerian and Award-winning actress, singer and songwriter, Cynthia Erivo, is scheduled to perform at the Governors Ball.
The event is the Academy’s official post-Oscars celebration, which is taking place on Sunday February 26.
A statement published on the website of Oscar, www.oscar.org, said she will entertain the Ball’s 1,500 guests, which will include 2017 Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters and performers, and other luminaries.
Erivo made her Broadway debut starring as ‘Celie’ in the critically acclaimed revival of “The Color Purple,” for which she received a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical and a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album.
She recently performed at The 39th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, as well as the 2017 Grammy Awards, alongside John Legend during the show’s ‘In Memoriam’ segment.
Erivo, is also an accomplished songwriter, having written and performed the song “Fly Before You Fall” for the 2014 feature film “Beyond the Lights.”
Her upcoming film projects include a starring role in “Harriet,” the Harriet Tubman biopic directed by Seith Mann, and co-starring opposite Viola Davis in Steve McQueen’s “Widows.”
Thirty year-old Erivo was born to Nigerian immigrants in Stockwell, South London on 8 January, 1987.
She attended La Retraite R.C Girls School. Erivo began a music psychology degree at the University of East London, however a year into her degree, she applied and subsequently trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
The evening at the Oscar Ball will also feature multi-platinum recording artist JoJo, five-time Emmy®-nominated music director Rickey Minor, and husband-and-wife deejays DJ M.O.S. and DJ Kiss showcasing an eclectic mix of musical genres.
The Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Centre.
The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood
