Cynthia Erivo

There was one person in particular who made a comment about my body.

It was too muscular.

I needed to stop going to the gym.

And at that point, I just was like, well, I like the body I'm in.

And so to have someone who was teaching, who was supposed to be mentoring me,

To say that was just, it was horrifying.

In the bar, at a theatre.

I was working in a shirt and tie shop as well over the weekend.

And so I was like, I was working a lot.

And that happened because when I first got there, I was given the opportunity to go and do backing vocals for a band that would have paid for my tuition in its entirety.

And when I asked if I could take the time off, which was two weeks,

I was given an ultimatum either to stay and let the gig go or leave and take the gig.

But I couldn't come back.

And I didn't want to leave.

So yeah, I stayed.

And you did it.

Yeah.

It's one of those moments that I've started to learn to forgive myself for because I felt so... Previously, I felt so mad at myself, so...

I guess there's a part of me that's a little bit ashamed that I would sort of give up my voice in that way.

But it's also why I'm vehemently protective of the way I use my voice.