‘Genius: Aretha’ Star Cynthia Erivo Was “Petrified” To Step Into Queen Of Soul’s Shoes, But Emerged “Unafraid” & Empowered – Contenders TV: The Nominees
As a Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner and Oscar nominee who just recorded her first solo album of original music, Cynthia Erivo is well-acquainted with artistic challenges. But the prospect of portraying Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s third season of its Genius anthology series was unlike anything she had previously faced.