This Neurological Phenomenon Affects Billie Eilish — and Cynthia Erivo Just Revealed She Has It Too

Cynthia Erivo has revealed that she experiences synesthesia, a neurological phenomenon where the senses can overlap.

She shared the news during a roundtable interview with The Hollywood Reporter that also included Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Seyfried, and Laura Dern.

“I have synesthesia, so I see color with music,” Erivo explained. During the discussion, Lawrence sang a note and asked what color Erivo saw. “Blue,” she replied.

Synesthesia isn’t very common, but it isn’t extremely rare either. Experts estimate that between one and four percent of people experience it. Other famous musicians and artists who have talked about synesthesia include Billie Eilish, Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, synesthesia is “a phenomenon that causes sensory crossovers, such as tasting colors or feeling sounds.” It isn’t considered a disease, but in some cases, it can appear alongside certain brain-related conditions.

Researchers have identified dozens of types, with some studies suggesting as many as 150 forms. Common examples involve sight, hearing, and touch, but the experiences can vary widely.

Erivo described her own experience as physical. “It’s a very odd feeling. I do a lot of symphony orchestra concerts, [and] when you hear a concert orchestra together they make a particular song and it hits me in the back of the head. It’s very strange,” she said.

She also clarified that her synesthesia doesn’t influence how she sings. “It’s just an experience for me,” she added. In contrast, Billie Eilish has said her condition inspires much of her creative work. Speaking to Nylon in 2021, she shared that “all of my videos for the most part have to do with synesthesia. All of my artwork, everything I do live, all the colors for each song, it’s because those are the colors for those songs.”

Pharrell Williams has commented that synesthesia is not unusual in the music world. On NPR’s Morning Edition, he said, “Most artists have it. It’s no big deal. And there are a lot of people who are not necessarily — they’re undiscovered artists, and they have it, too.”

Erivo’s openness helps shine a light on a condition many people may not fully understand. It shows that synesthesia can be a unique way of experiencing the world rather than a limitation.

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