The Actress Shares Her Truth About Estrangement, Identity, and the Emotional Toll of Fame in Her Powerful Book, Simply More

A Deeply Personal Reflection

November 19, 2025: Cynthia Erivo’s new memoir, Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who’s Been Told They’re Too Much, offers a raw and emotional look into the experiences that shaped her life. The celebrated actress and singer dives into painful memories, personal discoveries, and the complex realities of finding her voice in the public eye.

Confronting Family Estrangement

One of the most striking revelations in the memoir is Erivo’s account of being disowned by her father at just 16 years old. She recalls being left alone at a London Underground station, a moment that marked the end of their relationship. Raised primarily by her mother in south London, Erivo writes about learning to accept that reconciliation may never come — and finding strength in releasing the need for her father’s approval. The emotional fracture shaped her early years and continues to influence her journey toward healing.

Exploring Identity and Acceptance

Erivo also writes candidly about her experience discovering and embracing her queer identity. She reflects on hiding this part of herself during her teenage years, only beginning to step into it fully in her late twenties. The memoir reveals the complexities of coming out within her family as they navigated this new understanding together. Although the process wasn’t always smooth, Erivo shares that she is committed to living authentically and honoring her truth, even when vulnerability feels overwhelming.

The Hidden Pressures of Fame

The memoir addresses the emotional toll of life in the spotlight, including moments of extreme pressure and internal conflict. Erivo shares an incident in which she experienced what she describes as “blackout rage” during a rehearsal — a moment she now views as a reflection of the immense expectations she carried. She writes about balancing creativity, public scrutiny, and emotional exhaustion while striving to remain grounded in who she is.

A Story of Strength and Self-Discovery

Through Simply More, Erivo offers readers a powerful message about resilience, self-love, and the courage it takes to reclaim one’s narrative. Her honesty about pain, identity, and fame reveals not only the challenges she has faced but the strength she has built along the way.