NEED TO KNOW
- Audra McDonald carried out an unbelievable rendition of “Rose’s Flip” from Gypsy on the 2025 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 8
- The actress and singer landed a record-making eleventh Tony nomination for Gypsy, turning into the most-nominated performer of all time
- McDonald was lately criticized by Broadway veteran Patti LuPone, who stated she wasn’t “a good friend” in an interview with The New Yorker
Audra McDonald hit the stage of the 2025 Tony Awards to supply the viewers a knockout efficiency.
The actress and singer, 54, appeared at Radio Metropolis Music Corridor in New York Metropolis on Sunday, June 8, to carry out “Rose’s Flip” from Gypsy. McDonald at present stars as Mama Rose within the Broadway revival of the musical on the Majestic Theatre.
Whereas on the purple carpet, McDonald steered away from mentioning fellow Broadway legend Patti LuPone, whose latest feedback in a Might 26 New Yorker profile in regards to the two not being that pleasant made waves all through Broadway and past.
LuPone, 76, slammed Broadway actress Kecia Lewis within the interview and instructed interviewer Michael Schulman that McDonald is “not a good friend.” Although she did not elaborate on the historical past of their falling out, the Agatha All Alongside star indicated to the outlet it was a long-ago rift.
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When requested what she considered McDonald’s present flip as Rose in Gypsy, LuPone — who received a Tony for enjoying the identical position within the 2008 manufacturing — reportedly stared in silence for 15 seconds earlier than turning to the window and sighing, “What a gorgeous day.”
LuPone apologized for her feedback a day after greater than 500 members of the Broadway neighborhood signed an open letter reprimanding LuPone.
“For so long as I’ve labored within the theatre, I’ve spoken my thoughts and by no means apologized. That’s altering at present,” LuPone started her assertion. “I’m deeply sorry for the phrases I used throughout The New Yorker interview, significantly about Kecia Lewis, which have been demeaning and disrespectful.”
“I remorse my flippant and emotional responses throughout this interview, which have been inappropriate, and I’m devastated that my habits has offended others and has run counter to what we maintain pricey on this neighborhood,” she continued. “I hope to have the prospect to talk to Audra and Kecia personally to supply my honest apologies.”
“I wholeheartedly agree with all the things that was written within the open letter shared yesterday. From center faculty drama golf equipment to skilled levels, theatre has at all times been about lifting one another up and welcoming those that really feel they do not belong wherever else,” she concluded. “I made a mistake, I take full duty for it, and I’m dedicated to creating this proper. Our total theatre neighborhood deserves higher.”
McDonald herself addressed LuPone’s feedback about their friendship in an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, saying, “If there is a rift between us, I do not know what it’s,” after King, 70, requested her whether or not she was “shocked” by LuPone’s feedback.
“That is one thing you’d must ask Patti about. You realize, I have never seen her in about 11 years simply because we have been busy simply with life. So I do not know what rift she’s speaking about, however you’d must ask her,” McDonald added in that clip.
LuPone’s point out of an obvious feud between her and McDonald comes as McDonald is nominated on the Tonys for her starring position within the revival of Gypsy. She obtained her record-making eleventh Tony nod for the manufacturing, turning into the most-nominated performer of all time. The actress already holds the report for wins, with six Tonys. (LuPone has three.)
See ipromiseyoumedia’s full protection of the 78th annual Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo at New York Metropolis’s Radio Metropolis Music Corridor and airing now on CBS and Paramount+.
