Cynthia Erivo, singer, actor, and multi-talented artist with a commanding voice and presence, surprised the music community with a jaw-dropping announcement at the 2025 Grammys. In an in-depth sitdown with a carpet, three-time Tony, two-time Emmy, and two-time Grammy winner Idina announced she will release a new solo album in summer 2025. Fans and critics have been buzzing about the record, her first full-fledged musical work in two years, ever since her 2021 breakthrough album, Ch. 1 Vs. 1.
In an extended sitdown with CBS News Sunday Morning, Erivo gave a glimpse into her deeply intimate and experimental approach to creating music. Her next album, she disclosed, will be autobiographical in nature, one that documents her journey of discovery, growth, and survival.
“I hope that my work will speak in a true and meaningful way,” Erivo continued. “The record is a part of me—raw, honest, and full of heart.”
Erivo also stressed her unorthodox record-making, speaking about experimenting with numerous types of genres in an attempt to produce a sound that best reflects her personality. With a knack for gliding between soul and R&B and an opera background, she vows a discography that will feature her commanding range and narrative ability.
With the colossal success of Ch. 1 Vs. 1, insiders in the music field believe that her follow-up album will see her talent rise even higher. Music critics have faith that her ability to combine cinematic tales with exceedingly intimate lyrics will make this album one of the best releases of the year.
Beyond her work, Erivo recently found herself at the center of engagement buzz at the Grammys. She and long-term girlfriend, successful writer and producer Lena Waithe, posed together at the ceremony with both of them having similar rings, creating rumor and intrigue both amongst her followers and in the press.
While neither Erivo nor Waithe have publicly acknowledged an engagement, social rumor-mongers have fueled the buzz surrounding Erivo’s most current career and life success with speculations. Fans have taken to social networks including Twitter and Instagram to mark both her career progression and possibly new life stage with messages of happiness and anticipation.
In addition to buzz over her album and her dating life, Erivo has also been at the center of a significant Hollywood rumor—will she sing Wicked tunes at future Academy Awards?
Erivo, who is nominated for Best Actress for Wicked, squashed reports that she and co-star Ariana Grande would sing a musical medley at the Oscars. In an interview with Variety’s Marc Malkin at the Critics’ Choice Awards, Erivo exclaimed that she was surprised at the widespread rumor-mongering.
“Why is everyone saying that? I have no idea where this started,” she stated. “To me, this looks like wishful thinking. On Earth, why in the world would we ever sing?”
When pushed again, Erivo firmly refuted any discussion with the Academy regarding a performance. “No! Everyone keeps inquiring about whether we will be performing at the Oscars. I don’t understand why we’d ever be doing that because our song isn’t even nominated. That doesn’t occur.” In spite of her adamant denial, the rumor is still creating ripples, with the Academy deciding not to feature Best Original Song nominees in its 2025 telecast and go for one-off musical numbers instead. Whether or not she will ever take Oscar stage is unclear, but just being at the ceremony as a nominee is a huge milestone in her career.
