Angelina Jolie and Cynthia Erivo discuss singing live and the power of their film roles

Angelina Jolie and Cynthia Erivo share insights on singing live for their roles and their personal artistic journeys.

Angelina Jolie and Cynthia Erivo recently reflected on their demanding roles in Maria and Wicked, respectively, during Variety's Actors on Actors series. Jolie, portraying opera legend Maria Callas, trained for seven months to master opera singing and described the process as therapeutic. She revealed how rediscovering her voice through the role helped her confront past traumas, including the loss of her mother. Jolie highlighted Maria’s resilience and lamented the lack of empathy Callas faced in her later years.

Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in the upcoming Wicked films, discussed the physical and emotional challenges of singing live on set. Known for her Broadway success, Erivo adapted her powerful stage presence for intimate on-camera moments, with director Jon Chu encouraging live vocals. She described performing “Defying Gravity” while suspended in a harness as both exhilarating and a testament to her perseverance.

The conversation underscored their shared belief in art's ability to inspire, with Jolie recounting how her daughter Vivienne connected deeply with Wicked's themes of self-discovery. Both actresses expressed admiration for each other’s dedication, with Erivo applauding Jolie’s bravery in learning opera and Jolie commending Erivo’s authenticity.

Jolie and Erivo concluded by expressing a desire to collaborate in the future, emphasizing the transformative power of storytelling in their respective roles. Their discussion highlighted their commitment to challenging themselves artistically while creating meaningful connections through their performances.