Cynthia Erivo Shares a Message of ‘Light & Positivity' For LGBTQ+ People Amid Political ‘Fear-Mongering'
As politicians around the world continue to pursue anti-LGBTQ+ agendas, Cynthia Erivo has a simple message for queer people in 2025: Don't let them win.
In her new Billboard cover story published Monday (June 2), Erivo opens up about her thoughts on the Trump administration's continued attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. When asked by Billboard Pride editor Stephen Daw how she's coping with the political chaos, the singer-actress shared that she's focusing on trying to combat the vitriol with peace and calm.
More from Billboard
Cynthia Erivo Opens Up About Her Queerness: 'The More Yourself You Are, The Better Understanding Starts to Happen'
The Roots Apologize to Fans After First Day of 2025 Roots Picnic Marred By Long Lines: 'Safety Will Always Be Our Number 1 Priority'
Rod Stewart Postpones Las Vegas Colosseum Residency Gig Due to Unspecified Illness
'I'm trying to be a person you can get positive things from, because that is the only way you can balance this stuff,' she says. 'Fear-mongering is very powerful, and the only thing that you can do in order to offset that is to feed it with light and positivity.'
For her queer and trans fans, Erivo highlights the importance of staying true to yourself, even amid a scary political landscape. 'I want to encourage people to not decide to just tuck away and start hiding and not being themselves anymore, because that is exactly what they want,' she says. 'The more yourself you are, the more you are in front of people who don't necessarily understand, the better understanding starts to happen.'
All-star songwriter Justin Tranter agrees, saying that Erivo herself has become a powerful symbol for the LGBTQ+ community since her public coming out in 2022. 'Cynthia being Black and queer, and being one of the most famous people alive in this moment while our community is dealing with what we are dealing with, is no mistake,' they tell Billboard. 'For someone as talented as her to be a beacon for young Black queer people all over the world … is no accident.'
Over the last few years, Erivo made a name for herself as one of the premiere performers at The Kennedy Center, where she's performed her own solo concerts while also honoring legends such as Dionne Warwick, Dame Julie Andrews and Earth, Wind & Fire. But earlier in 2025, President Trump announced that he was naming himself as the chairman of the prestigious arts organization, replacing existing board members with his own allies and ceasing any and all drag performances hosted by the Center.
'I don't know who gains what from that. I hope that it comes back,' Erivo says of Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center. 'It's really sad to have to watch this happen to it. The Kennedy Center is supposed to be a space of creativity and art and music for everyone.'
See Erivo on the cover of Billboard and check out photos from her cover shoot below:
Best of Billboard
Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1
Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits
H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
15 minutes ago
- New York Post
Trump speaks with Putin, says ‘not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace' with Ukraine
WASHINGTON — President Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, saying it was 'not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace' between Russia and Ukraine. 'We discussed the attack on Russia's docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides,' Trump announced after the 75-minute talk with the Kremlin tyrant. 'President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.' Trump had a phone call with Vladimir Putin after Ukraine's attack on Russian subs in Russia's far east. AP The two also spoke about Iran, during which Putin suggested that Russia could potentially get involved in sealing a revised nuclear deal with Tehran. 'I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement,' Trump wrote. 'President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion. It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!'
CNN
17 minutes ago
- CNN
Trump says Putin told him in phone call he will respond to Ukraine's weekend drone attacks
President Donald Trump said he spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, but that the conversation would not yield an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. The call came after an audacious Ukrainian drone attack on Russian airfields over the weekend. Trump said he discussed the matter with Putin in their 75-minute phone call. 'We discussed the attack on Russia's docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace.' 'President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,' he went on. Trump said he also discussed Iran with Putin as he works to complete a nuclear agreement with Tehran. 'We also discussed Iran, and the fact that time is running out on Iran's decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly!' he wrote. 'I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement.' He said Putin would likely join discussions with Iran. 'President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion. It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!' Trump wrote. This is a breaking story and will be updated.
CNBC
18 minutes ago
- CNBC
Trump says he spoke to Putin, predicts no 'immediate' peace for Russia and Ukraine
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he spoke with Russian leader Vladimir Putin for well over an hour about Ukraine's latest attack on Russian airplanes and nuclear talks with Iran. Putin in that call vowed retaliation against Ukraine for the stunning surprise attack, which Kyiv said resulted in strikes on more than 40 Russian bombers, Trump said. "It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields," the president added. Trump's post did not say if he discouraged Putin from taking that action. The call with Putin lasted about 75 minutes, Trump said. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.
