The Stunning Transformation Of Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo was born in Stockwell in South London. Her mother, Edith, a Nigerian immigrant, raised Cynthia and her sister, Stephanie, after their father left when Cynthia was 16. Her childhood was actually quite ordinary. In fact, she and her family have managed to maintain their normal London life in spite of her fame — her mother still lives in the house where Cynthia grew up.

"When I go back to London, I always go visit them, I sleep in the front room, we still eat ground rice," she told The Times in 2021. "Mum still makes puff-puff and akara. My best friend and I, when we go shopping, we still go to Primark!"

In an interview with The Standard, she stated that her London accent was also there to stay: "This accent's not really going anywhere," she said. It's clear that no matter where life takes her, she'll always be a London girl at heart.