Strictly Come Dancing signs Hollywood star Cynthia Erivo to appear as guest mentor
Strictly Come Dancing is said to have signed Hollywood star and musical theatre actress Cynthia Erivo, best known for her role in Wicked, to appear as the show's first guest mentor
Strictly Come Dancing is said to have signed a major Hollywood star to act as guest mentor for Movie Week. The BBC dance competition has featured guest judges over the years like Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey and singer Donny Osmond amongst a host of others.
But now, it's thought that actress Cynthia Erivo, 38, best known around the world for starring as Elphaba in the film adaptation of Wicked alongside Ariana Grande, is said to have signed on to become the first ever guest mentor on the series.
A source has claimed: “Strictly wanted to sprinkle some real Hollywood magic on to Movie Week and have Cynthia coming on board to help train the stars.
“She’ll be working with all the celebrities in the rehearsal rooms in the lead-up, then will be live in the Strictly studio to give her feedback on their routines,” told The Sun.
This is not the first time Cynthia has appeared on the programme, as she served as a guest judge in 2020 for Musicals Week alongside regulars Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke, slotting in for Craig Revel Horwood during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, though, she will be giving out advice to contestants including Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis, Geordie Shore legend Vicky Pattison, and fellow musical theatre performer Amber Davies.
The actress initially appeared on the panel in 2021, Cynthia was very impressed by Rose Ayling-Ellis, who went on to win the whole competition. After her moving dance to Frozen with Giovanni Pernice during musicals week, Cynthia spoke to the deaf EastEnders star by using sign language, telling her: "You're joyful. Beautiful. That was so much fun to watch and you managed to get all the characterisation and the mood and the feeling all in one. It was gorgeous, so thank you."
Those watching from home took to Twitter to praise the actress for making an effort to use sign language. "I am loving Cynthia Ervio even more she spoken to Rose by using sign language," one person commented.
Another person agreed: "Yes same! Meanwhile, others gushed over Cynthia and said they wanted her to become a regular judge on the competition. Cynthia is such a joy. Absolutely loving her as guest judge," one user shared. A second wrote: "Cynthia Erivo is just an absolute dream."
"Can Cynthia Erivo be on #Strictly every week, please?!" a third begged.
Prior to finding Hollywood success, Cynthia was primarily a stage actress and had starred on The Color Purple on Broadway, and played the role of Deloris Van Cartier, a part made famous by Whoopi Goldberg, in a UK tour of Sister Act: The Musical. She also starred as the female lead in the short-lived I Can't Sing: The X Factor Musical more than a decade ago.
Wicked is the unofficial prequel to The Wizard of Oz, and opened on Broadway in 2003 before arriving in London's West End three years later. The musical was adapted into a Hollywood movie and the first part was released in November last year, and grossed more than half a billion at the box office.
Cynthia was cast in the leading role of Elphaba who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West in late 2021. The musical's best known songs include Defying Gravity, For Good and Popular, although new numbers are set to appear in the second part.
The sequel, titled Wicked: For Good, will be released on November 21, and Cynthia's appearance on Strictly Come Dancing will take place on October 11, just weeks before the premiere.
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