Saddening to be only woman of colour in Oscars race: Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo said she is happy about her Oscars nod, however, being the only woman of colour competing for the trophy is "saddening" for the Harriet star.

Los Angeles: Cynthia Erivo is excited about her best actress in a leading role Academy Awards nomination, but the singer-actor says being the only woman of colour competing for the trophy is "saddening".

Erivo, who is nominated for her performance in biographical drama Harriet, said while she is happy about her nod, it also highlights the lack of diversity in Hollywood.

"It is a moment for celebration, but it also is a real eye-opener. It can't just be me alone. There's just such good work going on and this may sound fatalistic, but I would hate for people's work to have gone by and then for us to have looked back and go, "Oh, I wish we would've given roses," when people aren't there to actually receive them. I don't want us to do that," the 33-year-old actor told The Hollywood Reporter.

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"To be in a room and not being able to see other actors (of colour) who are nominated, to not be able to share that with another black actress is saddening. I would love to share this moment with someone else," she added.

Earlier this month, Erivo addressed the film industry's diversity blindspots this awards season by turning down a performance of "Harriet's" "Stand Up" at the BAFTAs because of the lack of representation.

For the best actress Oscar trophy, Erivo will go up against Scarlett Johansson (marriage Story), Renee Zellweger (Judy), Charlize Theron (Bombshell) and Saoirse Ronan (Little Woman).

With inputs from PTI