Cynthia Erivo faced an unexpected health scare just days before her latest concert. The Wicked star revealed that she had lost her voice ahead of her highly anticipated Hollywood Bowl performance. Despite the setback, she recovered enough to deliver an emotional show.
Cynthia Erivo says chest infection left her without a voice four days before Hollywood Bowl concert
The Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner performed her Let Me Sing to You concert on October 15. Thousands of fans gathered at the iconic Los Angeles venue for the show. During the performance, Erivo revealed how serious her condition had become in the days leading up to the concert, as reported by Just Jared.
“About four days ago, there was no voice to sing to you with,” she sang. She explained, “I had a chest infection and a cough.”
However, performing remained a priority despite her illness. “But I held up to the hope. Anything can happen,” she continued during a freestyle section. She credited hope with helping her through the setback.
Erivo also explained how determined she was to perform. “Nothing in the world would have stopped me from being here,” she told the audience. She added that she would have performed even if she had needed to whisper.
The singer then shared why performing meant so much to her. “Because I love this. I love to do this,” she sang. She explained that sharing her music brought her light, even during difficult days.
Erivo also expressed heartfelt appreciation for the audience. “There’s nothing like being in front of you, and giving you my soul,” she told fans. Her emotional message highlighted the personal connection she feels through music.
Despite the recent chest infection, the concert lasted more than two hours. Erivo performed with the Hollywood Studio Symphony across two acts. Her setlist included songs associated with Whitney Houston, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin.
Erivo closed the evening with Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.” The performance marked a powerful ending after the vocal problems she had experienced just days earlier.
