Nicole Scherzinger’s Broadway Bombshell: First Tony Win Tops Audra McDonald
If you thought Broadway was safe from pop-star invasions, think again—last night Nicole Scherzinger finally pocketed her first Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical with Sunset Boulevard, beating six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald. According to Variety, the ceremony at Radio City Music Hall saw Scherzinger donning a sleek black gown that practically whispered “I came to win.” Broadway.com confirms McDonald’s gracious applause from the front row, proving it’s all fun and games until someone steals your spotlight.
Behind the dry humor of Scherzinger’s acceptance speech—“I’d like to thank my acting coach and my karaoke machine”—lies a serious achievement. The New York Post notes that critics were split on her turn as Norma Desmond, but The Guardian lauded her “heart-wrenching finale,” making this victory feel like a long-overdue endorsement. Of course, skeptics will say she only got here because she once fronted a girl band, but let’s pretend those streaming metrics don’t matter in the land of live theater.
Audra McDonald, who nabbed her record-setting sixth Tony nomination this year, had to settle for Best Featured Actress in a Play runner-up. People reports McDonald immediately texted Scherzinger a GIF of a standing ovation, cementing Broadway’s unwritten rule: “Kill ’em with kindness—and killer vocals.” It’s practically a rite of passage to lose gracefully in front of 700 million live viewers, right? Broadway.com adds that McDonald quipped backstage, “Next time I’ll bring earplugs for the competition.”
Nicole’s journey to Broadway royalty has been anything but linear. Deadline Hollywood reminds us she earned a Tony nod back in 2017, only to watch it slip away in a shocker that still haunts theater geeks. This time she walked offstage clutching the little medallion like it was a USB drive full of her ex’s texts—irreversible proof she belongs here. If only collecting awards were as easy as collecting paparazzi snapshots by the red carpet.
Sunset Boulevard itself is enjoying a box-office boon thanks to Scherzinger’s name on the marquee. BroadwayWorld notes ticket sales shot up 30 percent post-Tony nod, suggesting even Andrew Lloyd Webber can’t resist a headline-grabbing star. Producers are reportedly discussing a national tour, which means your local historic theater could get a dose of Scherzinger’s sultry belting—and we can’t wait to see how many community theater Normas break down in tears.
At this point, Scherzinger joked she might retire—funny how achieving your lifelong dream makes you want to quit. Well, there you have it. Broadway, you’ve outdone yourself again, and we’re here to bask in the aftermath of another improbable triumph. Tune in next season for more high notes, awkward acceptance speeches, and questionable costume choices.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Variety, People, Broadway.com, The Guardian
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
