Cynthia Erivo performed “What the World Needs Now is Love,” made popular by Jackie DeShannon, at the Walt Disney Company’s 2021 Upfront presentation Tuesday (May 18), and Billboard has the exclusive video.
The Tony-, Grammy-, and Emmy-winning actress and singer, who recently starred in National Geographic’s limited series about Aretha Franklin, Genius: Aretha, kicked off the star-studded festivities — which featured Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, and many others — with her heart-swelling cover at an empty theater.
“We have this moment together. Let’s fill it with hope, laughter, inspiration and love,” she said before the pianist began playing the 1965 classic.
“I love being part of the Disney family, and it was an honor to open their annual Upfront presentation with ‘What the World Needs Now Is Love,'” Erivo tells Billboard. “It’s a beautiful song — one of my favorites — and its message is as meaningful now as when the song premiered 55 years ago.”
“What the World Needs Now is Love” was written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach, with Bacharach also credited as the song’s producer. DeShannon’s version became an instant hit, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Watch Erivo’s cover of the classic above.
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