From one star to another, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh marked Cynthia Erivo’s birthday in the sweetest way, penning a sweet message in honour of her fellow actress as she recently celebrated her special day.
Cynthia Erivo is an award-winning actress and singer, widely celebrated for her powerful performances on stage and screen. She is best known for her Tony-winning role in The Color Purple, her acclaimed portrayal of Harriet Tubman in Harriet, and most recently, for starring as Elphaba in Wicked, which was released last year.
Michelle Yeoh, meanwhile, has enjoyed a long and celebrated career of her own, earning recognition for iconic roles in films such as Yes, Madam, The Heroic Trio, and Tai Chi Master, to name just a few.
The two actresses formed a close friendship while filming Wicked between 2022 and 2023, where Yeoh played Madame Morrible opposite Erivo’s Elphaba. What began as an on-screen partnership quickly grew into a genuine off-screen bond.
Happy birthday, Cynthia
Taking to Instagram to celebrate her friend’s birthday, Yeoh shared this sweet message—and here’s what she wrote:
“Happy Birthday, my dearest Cynthia. The world genuinely feels brighter, kinder, and more alive because you’re in it. You have an extraordinary gift—not just for singing, but for turning raw emotion into art, for giving voice to the feelings we don’t always know how to name or are too afraid to say out loud.
“Watching you in Wicked: For Good felt like being truly seen and understood, like being held gently and lifted all at once. Your performance didn’t just entertain—it healed, affirmed, and stayed with me long after the final note,” wrote Michelle.
Words of appreciation
Michelle concluded her message by adding the following:
“Thank you for sharing your heart so openly, for trusting us with your voice, and for showing what courage, vulnerability, and beauty look like when they live in the same place. Your artistry and your spirit are a gift, and I’m endlessly grateful for you—today, and always,” wrote Michelle.
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