A sobbing Nicole Scherzinger accepted her first ever Broadway honor at the star-studded 78th Annual Tony Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday.
The Pussycat Dolls singer, 46, won the Best Leading Actress in a Musical award, for her performance of fading Hollywood star Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, based on the 1950 film noir of the same name by Billy Wilder.
'Growing up I always felt like I didn't belong, but you all have made me feel like I belong, and I have come home at last,' she shared in her acceptance speech, before thanking her fiancé Thom Evans, adding he 'believes in me when I forget to believe in myself.'
Darren Criss, 38, won big, earning his first Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance in Maybe Happy Ending, written by Will Aronson and Hue Park.
The play — which explores themes of love, loneliness, and mortality and follows two 'Helperbots', robots designed to assist people, named Oliver and Claire — also won the top honor for Best Musical, with producer Jeffrey Richards accepting the award.
Meanwhile George Clooney, 64 — who was nominated for Good Night, And Good Luck — was shockingly snubbed, when he lost the Best Actor in a Play award to Cole Escola, 38. The star, who uses they/them pronouns, won for their performance in Oh, Mary! which they wrote and star in.
A sobbing Nicole Scherzinger, 46, accepted her first ever Broadway honor at the star-studded 78th Annual Tony Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday
The Pussycat Dolls singer teared up after winning the Best Leading Actress in a Musical award, for her performance of aging Hollywood star Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, based on the 1950 film noir of the same name by Billy Wild
Darren Criss, 38, won big, earning his first Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance in Maybe Happy Ending, written by Will Aronson and Hue Park
George Clooney, 64 — who was nominated for Good Night, And Good Luck — was shockingly snubbed, when he lost the Best Actor in a Play award to Cole Escola, 38, who won for Oh, Mary!
Nara Smith revealed that she is expecting her fourth child with husband Lucky Blue Smith with a sweet announcement on social media over the weekend.
The 'tradwife' influencer, 23 - who was recently slammed for 'glamorizing' teen pregnancy - jumped to both her Instagram and TikTok accounts to share the big news with her followers.
The beauty also shares Rumble, four, Slim Easy, three, and Whimsy Lou, one, with Lucky, 27 - whom she tied the knot with in 2020.
The show, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, celebrated Broadway's brightest talents in singing, acting, dancing and more.
Nicole started her acceptance speech by telling the audience: 'First of all, I just have to thank God, for carrying me every step of the way. I give you all the glory.'
'I'm so honored to be recognized alongside these exceptional warrior women in this category. I want to thank you all so much for making this little Hawaiian/ Ukrainian/ Filipino girl's dream come true. So proud to represent.'
She also thanked her family, including her mom, stating she 'had me at 18 and gave everything up for me.'
She then thanked composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, sharing: 'It has been such an honor to be able to create with you the past 15 years.'
Later she gave a shout out to producer Jamie Lloyd: 'Jamie, you saw in me what no one else did. You have given us all new ways to dream and you have changed my life forever.'
Nicole wrapped up her inspiring speech, sharing, 'If there's anyone out there who feels like they don't belong, or your time hasn't come, don't give up.'
'Just keep on giving and giving, because the world needs your love and your light now more than ever.'
'This is a testament that love always wins. Thank you so much. God Bess you,' the singer added at the end.
In the Best Leading Actor in a Musical category, Criss beat out Andrew Durand for Dead Outlaw, Tom Francis for Sunset Boulevard, Jonathan Groff for Just in Time, Jeremy Jordan for Floyd Collins, and James Monroe Iglehart for A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical.
In his acceptance speech, Criss gave a shout out to his wife Mia Swier, as well as actress Helen J. Shen.
'I share this with one of the best leading actresses is in a Broadway musical the season, Helen J. Shen,' he said. 'I am so proud of you and your Broadway debut is for the books. This is where you belong.'
He then thanked his wife: 'The real hero for this remarkable journey is my wife, Mia, who took a massive swing on allowing me to do this and to allow this crazy upheaval in our life to make this logistically possible, and for bearing the brunt of raising two tiny friends under three so that I could raise a singing robot at the theater eight times a week.'
'Mia, you are the very pedestal that upholds the shiny spinny bit in our lives, and your love and support for me and our beautiful children combined with the miracle working at something as magical as "Maybe Happy Ending" has been and will always be award enough.'
He finished his speech by dedicating his Tony Award to the memory of his father, Bill, and his brother, Chuck.
'Growing up I always felt like I didn't belong, but you all have made me feel like I belong, and I have come home at last,' she shared in her acceptance speech, before thanking her fiancé Thom Evans, adding he 'believes in me when I forget to believe in myself'
'I'm so honored to be recognized alongside these exceptional warrior women in this category. I want to thank you all so much for making this little Hawaiian/ Ukrainian/ Filipino girl's dream come true. So proud to represent'
She wrapped up her inspiring speech, sharing, 'If there's anyone out there who feels like they don't belong, or your time hasn't come, don't give up. Just keep on giving and giving, because the world needs your love and your light now more than ever'
She also thanked composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, sharing: 'It has been such an honor to be able to create with you the past 15 years'
She received the honor from media mogul Oprah Winfrey
Oprah showed off her slimmed down frame in a chic black gown
Producer Jamie Lloyd and legendary composer Andrew also accepted the award for Best musical revival for Sunset Boulevard
Sarah Snook, 37, kicked off the show, winning the Best Leading Actress in a Play award for her unbelievable performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray, where she played all 26 characters, including Dorian and Lord Henry.
The Succession star made her Broadway debut in the ambitious stage adaptation of Oscar Wilde's 1890 novel, directed and written by Kipp Williams.
Snook beat out a strong lineup of nominees including Laura Donnelly for The Hills of California, acting legend Mia Farrow for The Roommate, LaTanya Richardson Jackson for Purpose, and Stranger Things star Sadie Sink for John Proctor Is the Villain.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter presented her with the award.
She noted that the Tony Awards audience is an 'intimidating room of incredibly talented people.'
She went on: 'Thank you so much for this. This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway.'
'Thank you to my incredible team... and just everybody on stage. [The Picture of Dorian Gray] is billed as a one person show, and I don't feel alone any night that I do this show.'
'There are so many people on the stage making it work and so many people behind the stage making it work.'
She also thanked her husband Dave Lawson: 'And an exceptional thank you, the biggest thank you I can ever give to my husband, my soulmate, you are so brilliant holding family together and looking after the phones.'
The Picture of Dorian Gray follows a handsome young man whose painted portrait grotesquely ages with each of his sins, while he remains eternally youthful.
Criss beat out Andrew Durand for Dead Outlaw, Tom Francis for Sunset Boulevard, Jonathan Groff for Just in Time, Jeremy Jordan for Floyd Collins, and James Monroe Iglehart for A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical
In his acceptance speech, Criss gave a shout out to his wife Mia Swier, as well as actress Helen J. Shen
The play — which explores themes of love, loneliness, and mortality and follows two 'Helperbots', robots designed to assist people, named Oliver and Claire — also won the top honor for Best Musical, with producer Jeffrey Richards accepting the award
He received the award from Lin-Manuel Miranda
Escola, who uses they/them pronouns, acknowledged their fellow nominees, including Clooney, who had been nominated for Good Night, And Good Luck
Escola joked, 'It's been a sincere pleasure spending time with you over these warm salads at all these luncheons'
They also jokingly thanked 'Tebow from Grindr', the dating app for gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals
Set in the weeks before Abraham Lincoln's assassination, the 80-minute one-act dark comedy Oh, Mary! shares a glimpse into the suffocated life of Mary Todd Lincoln
Escola accepted the award from Sarah Paulson and Jean Smart
Aside from Clooney, who was nominated for Good Night, And Good Luck, Escola beat out Jon Michael Hill for Purpose, Daniel Dae Kim, for Yellow Face, Harry Lennix for Purpose, and Louis McCartney for Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
Set in the weeks before Abraham Lincoln's assassination, the 80-minute one-act dark comedy Oh, Mary! shares a glimpse into the suffocated life of Mary Todd Lincoln.
A thrilled Escola told the crowd: 'Julie Harris has a Tony for playing Mary Todd Lincoln!'
They went on to acknowledge their fellow nominees, including George: 'I want to thank the other nominees. George and Jon and Harry and Daniel and Louis. It's an honor to be in your company.'
They then joked, 'More than that, it's been a sincere pleasure spending time with you over these warm salads at all these luncheons.'
The star then quipped: 'I have to thank - oh, first of all, hi, mom. I love you. I'll call you when I can.'
They then jokingly thanked 'Tebow from Grindr', the dating app for gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.
Meanwhile Francis Jue, 61, won the best featured actor in a play for his performance in Yellow Face.
Sarah Snook, 37, kicked off the show, winning the Best Leading Actress in a Play award for her unbelievable performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray
Snook delivered an unbelievable performance in the show, playing all 26 characters, including Dorian and Lord Henry
The Succession star made her Broadway debut in the ambitious stage adaptation of Oscar Wilde's 1890 novel, directed and written by Kipp Williams
'Thank you so much for this. This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway,' Sarah told the crowd as she accepted the award
Sarah beat out a strong lineup of nominees including Laura Donnelly for The Hills of California , Mia Farrow for The Roommate, LaTanya Richardson Jackson for Purpose, and Sadie Sink for John Proctor Is the Villain
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter presented her with the award
Katie Holmes and Danielle Brooks presented him with the award.
He beat out Glenn Davis for Purpose, Gabriel Ebert for John Proctor Is the Villain, Bob Odenkirk for Glengarry Glen Ross, and Conrad Ricamora, Oh, Mary!
He gave a passionate speech, telling the crowd: 'For those who don't feel seen, for those being targeted in these authoritarian times, I see you. At its best, this community sees you. And I hope that encourages you to be brave and to dream and to dream big.'
He began his speech saying: '20 years ago, wonderful actor, singer Alvin Ing gave me this tux. He had it made for himself for the opening of "Pacific overtures" on Broadway in 1976.'
'When he gave it to me he told me he wanted me to wear it when I accepted my Tony award. I am only here because of the encouragement and inspiration of generations of wonderful Asian artists who came before me, and never got the opportunities that I have had.'
'It can be difficult in challenging times to be brave, so I would like to thank Scott Ellis and roundabout theater for daring to do a play called "Yellow face" in an election season. Thank you to David Henry Hwang for giving me and so many others a voice.'
Hwang's Yellow Face is a semi-autobiographical satirical comedy that explores the complexities of race and identity.
English actor Jak Malone, 30, nabbed the win for best featured actor in a musical, for his Broadway debut in Operation Mincemeat.
Francis Jue, 61, won the best featured actor in a play for his performance in Yellow Face
He gave a passionate speech, telling the crowd: 'For those who don't feel seen, for those being targeted in these authoritarian times, I see you. At its best, this community sees you. And I hope that encourages you to be brave and to dream and to dream big'
Katie Holmes and Danielle Brooks presented him with the award
English actor Jak Malone, 30, nabbed the win for best featured actor in a musical, for his Broadway debut in Operation Mincemeat
In an impassioned speech, Malone told the audience: 'Eight times a week I walk out on that stage and tell the audience I'm a woman. I'm not one. I only convey it through simple adjustment to posture, voice, and energy, but night after night the audience is believe in Hester'
'If you watched our show and found yourself believing in Hester, I'm so glad to tell you that intentionally or otherwise you might have just bid farewell to cynicism, outdated ideas of that rotten old binary and open yourself up to a world that's already out there in glorious technicolor and isn't going away anytime soon'
'Thank you to my mother and my father. My mother, who is my date, Vanessa Jenkins Young. My Belizean queen of the bay who cooked and stewed and brewed me for nine months. Thank you. My father, Klay Young, and my brother, Klay Jr. I love you guys.'
She then stated: 'In this world that we are so divided, theater is a sacred space! It's a sacred space that we have to honor and treasure. And it makes us united. Thank you so much.'
She was presented the award by Carrie Preston and Harry Potter star Tom Felton.
The Best Featured Actress in a Musical award went to Natalie Venetia Belcon, 56, for her performance in Buena Vista Social Club.
It was her first Tony nomination and win, and the star got emotional while accepting her award.
At one point Belcon also joked about having an 'obsession' with actor Jason Momoa, quipping, 'Hey, Jason. How you doing?'
Buena Vista Social Club is inspired by the beloved Cuban ensemble of the same name, which recorded a hit eponymous album in 1997 and was documented in Wim Wenders' acclaimed documentary (also of the same name) in 1999.
Belcon then thanked the 'real Buena Vista Social Club, who of course we could not do this without. I hope you will see this. I hope you are proud of us. It is such an honor to portray you.'
'My fellow nominees, your performances are all incredibly inspiring. My friends and family, thank you for listening to me cry and cackle and complain at 3:00 in the morning.'
She won out against Julia Knitel for Dead Outlaw, Gracie Lawrence for Just in Time, and Justina Machado for Real Women Have Curves, and Joy Woods for Gypsy.
She received the award from Rachel Bay Jones and Kristin Chenoweth.
The Best Featured Actress in a Musical award went to Natalie Venetia Belcon, 56, for her performance in Buena Vista Social Club
It was her first Tony nomination and win, and the star got emotional while accepting her award
At one point she also joked about having an 'obsession' with actor Jason Momoa, quipping, 'Hey, Jason. How you doing?'
She then thanked the 'real Buena Vista Social Club, who of course we could not do this without. I hope you will see this. I hope you are proud of us. It is such an honor to portray you'
She received the award from Rachel Bay Jones and Kristin Chenoweth
The best new play award went to author Branden Jacobs Jenkins and producer Glenn Davis for Purpose
The best new play award went to author Branden Jacobs Jenkins and producer Glenn Davis for Purpose.
They were up against Oh, Mary!, John Proctor Is the Villain, English, and The Hills of California.
Author Jonathan Spector and producer Lynne Meadow accepted the award for Best Revival of a Play for Eureka Day.
They were up against Our Town, Romeo + Juliet, and Yellow Face.
Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson presented them with the award.
The best direction of a play award was given to theatre director Sam Pinkleton for Oh, Mary!.
The award was presented by two-time Tony nominee Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney.
Pinkleton won out against Knud Adams for English, Sam Mendes for The Hills of California, Danya Taymor for John Proctor Is the Villain, and Kip Williams for The Picture of Dorian Gray.
'We can bring joy to people at the end of a crappy day and that feels like a big deal to me. I love making theater and I love being part of this community. Thank you so much! I love you!' he said while accepting his award.
Meanwhile the best direction of a musical Tony award went to Michael Arden for Maybe Happy Ending.
He beat out Saheem Ali for Buena Vista Social Club, David Cromer for Dead Outlaw, Christopher Gattelli for Death Becomes Her, and Jamie Lloyd for Sunset Boulevard.
Arden thanked playwrights Will Aronson and Hue Park for writing, 'a perfect musical.'
Author Jonathan Spector and producer Lynne Meadow accepted the award for Best Revival of a Play for Eureka Day
Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson presented them with the award
The best direction of a play award was given to theatre director Sam Pinkleton for Oh, Mary!
The award was presented by two-time Tony nominee Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney
Meanwhile the best direction of a musical Tony award went to Michael Arden for Maybe Happy Ending
