Oprah Winfrey left jaws ajar at the 2025 Tony Awards and not just for her glam entrance.
For, while presenting Best Leading Actress in a Musical, she gave a wink-worthy nod to the drama offstage.
Full story below…
Whilst on the stage, Winfrey said:
“Our celebration of this astounding year in live theater turns to the women whose work sparked lively conversations among theater fans.”
She paused and gave the crowd a look before adding:
“Lotta talking going on!”
Cue the laughs – and the side-eyes.
omg not Oprah Winfrey throwing shade at Patti LuPone while presenting at the Tony Awards lol pic.twitter.com/l7WvmA8Bev
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 9, 2025
Though she didn’t name names, many Broadway loyalists saw it as a subtle jab at Patti LuPone, whose messy fallout with Kecia Lewis and Audra McDonald lit up headlines earlier this year. LuPone called Lewis a “bi**h” in The New Yorker, sparking outrage and an open letter signed by 500+ theater pros.
LuPone skipped the ceremony, while McDonald, who was nominated in the category Winfrey was presenting, lost out to Nicole Scherzinger.
Now that’s theater.
