Cynthia Erivo, the breakout star of The Color Purple, won a Tony for Lead Actress in a Musical tonight. The only reason you might conceivably be surprised about that news is if you’ve been living under a soundproof rock with no access to YouTube videos like this one for the past year. Still, Erivo’s acceptance speech was a master class in genuine and overwhelming gratitude. She thanked the musical’s director, John Doyle; Color Purple writer Alice Walker; her mother; and, of course, Oprah. “To every single person in my cast you are magnificent,†Erivo said. “Thank you so much for lifting me up when I’m tired, for holding my hands when I’m happy, for kissing me on my forehead when I just need some love.†No, you’re trying to stay afloat in a Lake Superior–size pool of your own tears.
Watch Cynthia Erivo’s Tony Acceptance Speech, and Let Every Known Emotion Tsunami Over You
