Cynthia Erivo Receives Standing Ovation for ‘Stand Up’ Performance at Oscars

Double Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo certainly proved she’s EGOT- worthy during last night’s 2020 Oscars.

The multi-talented actress and singer took the stage at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday night to perform her song, Stand Up from her film Harriet and boy! She did impress.

Clad in gold floor-length gown with a thigh-high gap, Erivo began the ballad alone before being joined by backup dancers, who eventually made their way into the audience. she wrote belted the powerful lyrics alongside Joshuah Brian Campbell for the best original song nominee.

Toward the end of the performance, the group crowded behind Erivo as she harmonized. Singers and dancers came onto the stage from the audience.

The performance ended with a black and white picture of Harriet Tubman projected onto the stage as the stage lights go out, only lit by standing lanterns. Erivo received a standing ovation from the award attendees.

Erivo is among the 2020 Oscars’ double nominees, up for best actress and best original song for her work in Harriet, marking the only nods for Kasi Lemmons’ Harriet Tubman biopic and making Erivo the third person in history to be nominated in both of those categories.

Erivo is also the only person of color up for any of the night’s acting awards. “To be in a room and not being able to see other actors [of color] who are nominated, to not be able to share that with another black actress is saddening,” Erivo told The Hollywood Reporter. “I would love to share this moment with someone else.” 

If she were to win one of the two awards she’s up for, Erivo would become the youngest EGOT winner in history and the 16th person to join the elite club.

In addition to Stand Up, Toy Story 4‘s I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away, (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again from Rocketman, Breakthrough‘s I’m Standing With You, and Into the Unknown from Frozen 2 are all up for best original song at the 92nd Academy Awards.