The Highs, Lows and Wildest Moments from the 2025 Tony Awardsoriginally appeared onParade. Broadway's biggest night is over and done with, but we aren't finished talking about everything that happened at the 2025Tony Awards. While the box-office totals the last few seasons had struggled post-COVID and during the WGA strike, Broadway had its most lucrative season ever in 2024-25. To celebrate live from New York City, a whole slate of awards were passed out to honor the best and brightest of this Broadway season. The evening at Radio City Music Hall included high-octane musical performances, impassioned winner speeches andunforgettable red carpet looks. Of course, there were also plenty of weird, wild and unexpected things as well. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Here's a rundown of all the evening's biggest, most memorable moments: Cynthia Erivo & Oprah recreate the 'Wicked' "holding space" meme at the 2025 Tony Awards.pic.twitter.com/XfA0xB4Iqi — Black Film Alerts 🎥 (@BlackFilmAlerts)June 9, 2025 There are many ways to open an awards show, but a pep talk fromOprah Winfreyis not one we've seen before. As hostCynthia Erivoprepared for her opening number, she exchanged a few words (and a "holding space" finger hold) with the legendary journalist and actor. Erivo then proceeded to the stage, where she performed a beautiful ballad without many bells and whistles called "All You Need Is a Song." Megan Hilty performs a number from#DeathBecomesHerat the 2025#TonyAwardspic.twitter.com/MCCOh4q6m1 — The Hollywood Reporter (@THR)June 9, 2025 The first of the Best Musical nominee performances came from Megan Hilty and the cast ofDeath Becomes Her. They performed "(I See) Me!" a song that centers on the wordplay of "gaze" vs. "gays." The queer-themed number which involves aLiza Minnelliimpersonation, rainbows and aWizard of Ozcostume was the perfect way to celebrate Pride month and kicked off the night's strong musical performances. Related:See the Best of the 2025 Tony Awards Red Carpet Fashions The microphone that popped up out of the stage for presenters couldn't quite do its job. Either because of the rising and falling or the presenters not standing close enough, audio problems persisted. hell yes to Jak Malone calling people out in his Tony Award speechpic.twitter.com/SFpned9ALm — Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse)June 9, 2025 Operation Mincemeat's Jak Malone took home the Tony for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical and gave an impassioned speech that ended with a call to question gender norms and reject the binary. It's quite a long way to go for a bit, but the room ATE IT UP! I was also slightly worried that Jonathan Groff was going to spit on Oprah when he walked by her while singing/spitting "Mack the Knife." Related:Jessica Hecht Reveals the Hardest Part of Being a Tony Nominee (Exclusive) Kara Young just made history as the first Black person to win two consecutive Tonys, and they started playing her off with pre-recorded music of Cynthia Erivo singing Frank Sinatra's "My Way"Kara: In this world where we are so divided, theater is a sacred space--Cynthia's…pic.twitter.com/U5WYVYHtJQ — Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse)June 9, 2025 Cynthia threatened at the beginning of the show that she would sing off winners who took more than 90 seconds to give their speech. However, whenKara Youngbecame the first victim it was just awkward especially given that Erivo's voice overlapped with Young's political message. We just have to stop trying to cut people off. Related:Once Upon a Time, They Considered Giving Up. Now They're 2025 Tony Nominees (Exclusive) lol at Natalie Venetia Belcon shooting her shot with Jason Momoa during her Tonys acceptance speech"To the band, my obsession-- well, my second obsession. The first one is Jason Momoa. Hey, Jason! How you doin'?!"pic.twitter.com/dGxeKIZvV5 — Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse)June 9, 2025 The woman had one opportunity to shoot her shot on national TV after she won her Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical forBuena Vista Social Club, AND SHE TOOK IT. Related:The Best Filmed Broadway Shows To Stream Now Oh, Mary!has been THE Broadway sensation of the 2024-25 season, but as a raucous comedy, it didn't quite have the seriousness usually acknowledged in this category. In the endOh, Mary!must have just been too silly with the much more straightforward dramaPurposewinning instead. The real star ofMaybe Happy Endingis a potted plant, and they made an appearance during the musical's performance at the Tonys. Inimitable. The original.#Hamiltenpic.twitter.com/r5YpwujkUw — Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical)June 9, 2025 SOMEHOWHamiltonis 10 years old and to celebrate the entire original Broadway cast (includingAriana DeBosewho you probably forgot was even inHamilton) reunited for an incredible medley that provided every major actor with a killer solo leading to a raucous finale. Even Oprah was on her feet stomping, screaming and shouting at the end. BRB buying tickets forHamilton. Cole Escola RAN to the stage after winning the Tony Award for Best Actor!!!! I love thempic.twitter.com/qgUAc1ig8O — Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse)June 9, 2025 WhileOh, Mary!may have lost Best Play, its creator Cole Escola took home the trophy for Best Leading Actor in a Play for playingMary Todd Lincoln. In their excitement, and with the threat of Cynthia Erivo singing them off, Escola raced towards the stage where they gave a delightfully unhinged speech. Audra McDonald performs a piece from the Broadway show#Gypsyat the 2025#TonyAwardspic.twitter.com/XvqP4Cc5Ls — The Hollywood Reporter (@THR)June 9, 2025 There's a reason she already has six Tony Awards, and this performance certainly reconfirms that she is a once-in-a-generation talent. WhenSunset Blvd.won the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical, the pair delivered some of the most lowkey speeches of the night. Perhaps it's that they're British? While their speeches were dull, their win did really ramp up the tension re: Best Actress in a Musical. "You get a car!" - Cynthia Erivo gifts Oprah Winfrey a toy car at the 2025#TonyAwardspic.twitter.com/kK7iKGLTno — The Hollywood Reporter (@THR)June 9, 2025 In a funny bit, Erivo said "you get a car" to Oprah. It was a miniature car though because obviously the Tonys don't have the budget to be giving away free cars. As Oprah mentioned when presenting the award, there has been a LOT of lively talk and discussion about the women in this category. All season it's been a battle between Audra McDonald and Nicole so depending on who you were rooting for, this win was either a great victory or an agonizing defeat. Jennifer Simard, the queen you are#TheTonyspic.twitter.com/C9z1ACczPy — Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays)June 9, 2025 Perhaps the real winner of Best Actress in a Musical, however, wasDeath Becomes Her's Jennifer Simard who brought a "That Was Rude" sign that she wielded while the nominations were read off. Forever a legend. It's the first time that Cynthia Erivo has been seen without herWickedcounterpart since the press tour started approximately 5,000 years ago. Related:The Full List of 2025 Tony Award Winners The Highs, Lows and Wildest Moments from the 2025 Tony Awardsfirst appeared on Parade on Jun 9, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
