Cynthia Erivo has urged Rada to recognise the financial pressures faced by students, recalling how she worked three jobs while training at the drama school between 2006 and 2010
The actor said exhaustion from balancing lessons with paid work was mistaken for a lack of commitment
She also had to reject a £10,000 Westlife backing-singer job because it clashed with her studies
Now Rada’s vice-president, Erivo wants the institution to become more supportive
Her comments come as the academy continues efforts to address its past admission of institutional racism and deliver reform.