There is a certain irony to the announcement that Tony winner Cynthia Erivo will be the entertainment at the Governors Ball, the academy’s official post-Oscars celebration, on Sunday, February 26. She won her Tony Award in June for starring in the musical version of “The Color Purple.” Steven Spielberg‘s 1985 film adaptation of Alice Walker‘s novel holds the Oscar record for the most nominations (11) without a win. It shares that dubious achievement with “The Turning Point” (1977).
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The 1,500 attendees of the ball, which will be held on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center that also houses the Dolby Theater, are in for a treat. Erivo blew the roof off the Kennedy Center when she sang “The Impossible Dream” in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy at the recent 39th edition of its annual honors (watch above).
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This Londoner, who just picked up a Grammy when the cast recording won Best Musical Theater Album, also performed on that kudocast alongside John Legend during the ‘In Memoriam’ segment. She is also an accomplished songwriter, having written and performed the song “Fly Before You Fall” for the 2014 feature film “Beyond the Lights.” Her upcoming film projects include a starring role in “Harriet,” the Harriet Tubman biopic directed by Seith Mann, and co-starring opposite Viola Davis in Steve McQueen’s “Widows.”
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The Governors Ball will also will feature multi-platinum recording artist JoJo, five-time Emmy-nominated music director Rickey Minor, and husband-and-wife deejays DJ M.O.S. and DJ Kiss showcasing an eclectic mix of musical genres.
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