Award-winning actor and singer Cynthia Erivo has revealed the strict habits she follows to preserve her voice while managing one of the busiest schedules in entertainment. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the Wicked: For Good star described how vocal care has become a daily discipline rather than an occasional precaution.
A Voice That Comes First, Always
Erivo said protecting her voice is non-negotiable, even during constant travel and long promotional tours.
“I’m always taking care of it,” she said. “I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t eat anything on planes. I bring everything with me — my tea, my water.”
She explained that air travel can be particularly harsh on the voice, which is why she avoids airplane food and relies on personal hydration routines throughout flights.
The Mug That Became a Meme
One of Erivo’s most recognizable habits is the reusable mug she carries everywhere — a detail fans have enthusiastically embraced online.
“Someone made a meme of the mug that I carry around because I have it with me everywhere,” she said. “I have it in several different colors. I will not be without it because I want my tea to always be warm enough to hydrate me.”
For Erivo, warm tea is not a comfort item but a vital tool to maintain vocal health during long days of rehearsals and performances.
Discipline Without Downtime
Despite her meticulous routine, the actor admitted that rest often falls by the wayside.
“That’s just how I exist,” she said. “I will do whatever I need to make sure she’s okay — except apparently take a break.”
Erivo acknowledged that her refusal to slow down stems from her desire to keep growing as an artist, even if it comes at the cost of exhaustion.
Saying Yes to Creative Challenges
The performer said she rarely turns down roles that challenge her emotionally or physically.
“I won’t turn down opportunities that might force me to find something else in my character,” she said, noting that many such projects are converging at the same time.
This mindset has led to overlapping commitments across stage, screen, and music.
From the West End to the Big Screen
Erivo is currently rehearsing for a one-woman stage adaptation of Dracula, which will run in London’s West End from February 3 through May 31. She is also involved in upcoming screen projects, including Prima Facie and Children of Blood and Bone, slated for a January 2027 theatrical release.
Awards Season Meets Intense Training
Reflecting on filming Children of Blood and Bone, Erivo described an exhausting overlap with awards season that included horseback riding lessons, combat training, and dialect coaching.
“The day after the Oscars, I was on a plane at 5:00 a.m. heading to South Africa,” she said.
For Erivo, discipline, preparation, and vocal care are inseparable from her success — even when rest comes last.
