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Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo Reunite for a Moving Color Purple Duet
The stars reflect on their Broadway roots and deliver an unforgettable performance.
Images via DFree / Shutterstock; Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock
Nearly a decade after captivating audiences on Broadway in The Color Purple, Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo reunited on the Wednesday episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show for a moving duet of “What About Love”. Their soulful performance showcased the undeniable chemistry and powerhouse vocals that left Broadway audiences in awe.
Hudson took a moment to honor Erivo’s breakout performance as Celie in the Broadway production, praising her nightly brilliance and the impact of her portrayal. “She performed with bravura every night and earned her flowers”, Hudson shared.
Erivo reflected on her own journey, becoming emotional as she recounted being discovered in a small London theater. “It’s been a really long journey, and that young lady there had no idea about what was in front of her”, Erivo said, referring to her younger self. “She was trying to get through every show.”
The Broadway production of The Color Purple was inspired by Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film. The story follows Celie’s evolution from a troubled childhood to a triumphant, self-actualized woman. In this narrative, Hudson’s character Shug plays a pivotal role in helping Celie uncover her inner strength. The story was recently reimagined as a musical film adaptation, premiering in December 2023.
Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo is gearing up for her next big role as Elphaba in the highly anticipated Wicked movie, where she stars alongside Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, and Michelle Yeoh.