Tony Awards: Maybe Happy Ending, Nicole Scherzinger and history-making Purpose win big
Sarah Snook took home the trophy for leading actress in a play for her tireless work in The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Maybe Happy Ending, a rom-com about a pair of androids falling in love, took home the Tony Award for best new musical on Sunday.
Its star, Darren Criss, had won the leading actor in a musical award just minutes before. He also hosted the Tonys pre-show.
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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
How Nicole Scherzinger went from Pussycat Dolls spat to bigger star than ever thanks to prestigious award & movie talks
NICOLE Scherzinger looked destined to end up on the showbiz scrapheap. The singer and actress spent years in increasingly mundane Advertisement 7 Nicole Scherzinger with her Tony Award for musical Sunset Boulevard Credit: Getty 7 Nicole as lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls, on stage in 2006 Credit: Alamy 7 Nicole at the Tonys ceremony in New York with fiance Thom Evans Credit: Getty Then her much-anticipated return to music with The Pussycat Dolls ended in disaster when a But on Sunday night, the sexy US star, 46, cemented a major career U-turn when she was named Best Actress In A Musical at the prestigious Tony Awards, thanks to her powerful turn as Norma Desmond in Now, The star, who also Advertisement 'I would like to do movies and movie musicals. I would like to build my own show. There are roles I would like to create. 'It's validating and it's fulfilling because I know that I'm on the right path. I know I'm back where I was born to be. 'When you see the show, you see the real depths of me as an actor and as a singer. 'I want to encourage people to keep an open mind and an open heart. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Breaking 'You never know where your unexpected dream opportunity is going to come from.' Nicole has already had talks over a movie version of Nicole Scherzinger, 46, posts funny video in barely-there bikini But at the Tony Awards ceremony in New York, where she teared up on stage, she said: 'This has been a very healing process for me. 'I always felt like I wasn't living my full potential and full purpose. I was never happy with myself. Advertisement 'It is because I knew I had so much more to give. And this role and this opportunity allowed me to give all of me. It's changed my life. 'But it has been hard. It has not been an easy road. 'I am so grateful that I am able to connect to people on a spiritual and soulful level and I could make a difference in these people's lives. 'Much more to give' 'That is exactly what we do it for. So I am thankful.' Advertisement Nicole had a number of theatre roles as a youngster, before joining the Pussycat Dolls and scoring a string of hit records. She went on to release two solo albums and become a judge on shows including The X Factor and The Masked Singer US. Her role in Cats on the West End from 2014 to 2015 was a success. But she infuriated Advertisement 7 Nic sizzled in a sexy bikini last month Credit: nicolescherzinger/Instagram 7 Actress Nicole is the toast of Broadway thanks to her critically-acclaimed performance Credit: Getty He said at the time: 'I mean, she's crazy. But the American producers just took a view, 'Well, fine, we'll get somebody else' because she's actually not very well known in America. She's much better known here. 'I'm furious because I really believe she's the most fantastically talented girl and I went out on a limb to get her for the London Palladium here, and it makes me look like an absolute twot with them all.' Advertisement Despite their parting of ways, Nicole still credits He wrote the music for Sunset Boulevard and championed her landing that role. Thanking him in her Tonys acceptance speech, she said: 'Andrew Lloyd Webber, it's happened. It's been such an honour to create with you.' Nicole's musical career has been a rollercoaster in recent years. In 2019, Advertisement This has been 30 years in the making and I've been working and fighting for this my whole life. Nicole Scherzinger It seemed like things were finally on the up, but Covid repeatedly delayed their tour and, by 2022, the trek was axed amid a Those mainstream career choices put paid to her ambitions on stage and screen, and she has now said she felt blacklisted from the industry. Opening up about her years-long battle to be taken seriously, Nicole explained: 'Like so many people, I was put in a box. 'It is hard when you feel like, your whole career, you've been fighting to be seen and fighting to show what you're truly capable of. Advertisement 'Ten years back after The Dolls, I really wanted to go back to doing musical theatre stuff. It's like where my heart is. "And there was no path to do that. People weren't even allowing me to be seen for filmed musicals and some live stuff going on. 'They just wouldn't even consider seeing me, like 'That's going to be a waste of our time'. I was like, 'They're not taking me seriously'.' 7 Nicole looking elated at an awards party Credit: The Mega Agency Advertisement 7 Nicole says she is grateful to theatre icon Andrew Lloyd Webber Credit: Getty But when forward-thinking theatre producer Jamie Lloyd, 45, eventually approached her with the life-changing role of Norma Desmond, her first reaction was to feel insulted. The show, which also won Best Revival Of A Musical at the Tonys, tells the story of a faded and deluded 50-year-old film star who refuses to accept her streak of fame is over. She then hires a screenwriter to help write a movie to relaunch her career, although it doesn't go to plan and the production culminates with Nicole covered in blood on stage. Advertisement In a 2023 interview, recalling her reaction to being offered the part, the star said: 'I was like, 'Are you out of your mind?'. First of all, I still look great under bright lights. "And isn't that an older woman who is, like, an old relic? How does that even remotely have anything to do with me?'. 'I was, like, 'Yo, this chick is crazy. I don't want to play her. She crazy'.' Before taking the part, Nicole had been working on relaunching her solo music career, although massive acting roles now beckon instead. Advertisement She said: 'This is my childhood dream come true. I feel like I win every night when people tell me how my performances impact them. 'This has been 30 years in the making and I've been working and fighting for this my whole life. "I cannot believe I won a Tony against an unbelievable category of (women). But I have come home (Broadway) and am back where I was born to be.' 'Forget to believe in myself' By her side throughout her career redemption has been former rugby player Thom Evans, who she met when he competed on The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019. Advertisement They got engaged in 2023 and she thanked him on stage during her speech. She said: 'For my fiance Thom, who believes in me, when I forget to believe in myself.' But her newfound popularity may mean an even longer wait is in store for their nuptials. Asked last week if they would be tying the knot soon, Nicole said: 'Yes, we will get married. Advertisement 'We're engaged to be married when I'm not working. Thank God he is so patient. We'll get married back home in Hawaii, where my family is from.' It clearly hasn't been easy on either of them to have Nicole doing eight shows a week for most of the last two years, as she has changed her life for the part. In an interview with Sirius XM in the States, she said: 'I live like a hermit. I try not to do much. 'I still take my meetings and do work that I have to do and wherever they need me. Advertisement 'I feel like every performance, I leave my soul and my voice out there on the stage. 'So I kind of live like a hermit. I don't really do much. I just drink a lot of water.' Read more on the Irish Sun She added: 'I train like an Olympian. Before I go on stage, it's like I am a boxer and that is the level I have to get emotionally and physically ready. 'I train myself like a weapon. We are warriors.' Advertisement
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
Tony Awards 2025: Full list of winners
Nicole Scherzinger was among the big winners at the 78th annual Tony Awards, which took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The singer picked up the Best Actress in a Musical award for a spell as film star Norma Desmon in Sunset Boulevard. An emotional singer turned actress revealed she 'always felt like I didn't belong' when she was growing up, adding 'you all have made me feel like I belong and I have come home.' Nicole Scherzinger was among the big winners at the 78th annual Tony Awards, which took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions The talent judge stunned in a glittery red strapless dress which featured a sexy slit on one side. Nicole wore her hair up on a slick back bun and paired her dress with matching red shoes, a red lip. She kept her jewelry simple with a silver necklace and small earrings. The awards ceremony was hosted by Wicked's Cynthua Erivo, with Sarah Snook picking up the Best Leading Actress in a Play for her portrayal of 26 characters in her solo performance of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Romantic sci-fi musical Maybe Happy Ending was the big winner on the night, taking home seven awards. These included Best Musical; Best Original Score and Best Scenic Design of a Tony Awards Productions Darren Criss, of Glee fame, picked up the Best Leading Actor in a Musical gong for his role in the production. Cola Escola made history in becoming the first openly non-binary performer to win Best Leading Actor in a Play. The star won the award for their performance in Oh, Mary! which also picked up Best Direction of a Play for Sam Pinkleton. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Here is the full list of all the winners at the annual Tony Awards: Best Book of a Musical – Maybe Happy Ending Best Costume Design of a Musical – Maybe Happy Ending Cynthia Erivo. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Best Costume Design of a Play – Jaja's African Hair Braiding Best Direction of a Musical – Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending) Best Direction of a Play – Sam Pinkleton (Oh, Mary!) Darren Criss and Mia Swier attend The 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 08, 2025 in New York City. Pic:Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Jak Malone (Operation Mincemeat) Best Featured Actor in a Play – Francis Jue (Yellow Face) Best Featured Actress in a Musical – Natalie Venetia Belcon (Buena Vista Social Club) Jonathan Groff and Sadie Sink. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Best Featured Actress in a Play – Kara Young (Purpose) Best Leading Actor in a Musical – Darren Criss (Maybe Happy Ending) Best Leading Actor in a Play – Cole Escola (Oh, Mary!) Lea Michele. PicBest Leading Actress in a Musical – Nicole Scherzinger (Sunset Blvd.) Best Leading Actress in a Play – Sarah Snook (The Picture of Dorian Gray) Best Lighting Design of a Musical – Water for Elephants David Cumming. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Best Lighting Design of a Play – An Enemy of the People Best Musical – Maybe Happy Ending Best Orchestrations – Maybe Happy Ending Amal Clooney and George Clooney. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre – Maybe Happy Ending Best Play – Purpose Best Revival of a Musical – Sunset Blvd. Sarah Paulson. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Best Revival of a Play – Eureka Day Best Scenic Design of a Musical – Maybe Happy Ending Best Scenic Design of a Play – An Enemy of the People Best Sound Design of a Musical – The Outsiders Best Sound Design of a Play – Appropriate
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
Maybe Happy Ending scoops four awards at Tonys
Wicked star Cynthia Erivo led the 2025 Tony Awards in NewYork with Maybe Happy Ending, a romantic comedy about a pair of androids, picking up awards for best new musical, best original score written for theatre and best scenic design of a musical and best direction of a musical. Other big winners included Succession star Sarah Snook and Cole Escola, who took home awards for leading actress and actor in a play. In the musical categories, Glee alum Darren Criss was named best leading actor in a musical, while Nicole Scherzinger earned best leading actress for her turn as Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd. The show celebrated a blend of Broadway newcomers, veterans, and Hollywood stars with performances, tributes, and surprises throughout the night. The Wicked star who won a Tony in 2016 for her role in The Colour Purple, kicked off the festivities from her dressing room at Radio City Music Hall in New York, where her stage manager asked if she had an opening number prepared. She joked she was still figuring it out. As she made her way to the main stage, she ran into several people offering advice, until she met Oprah Winfrey, who simply told her: "The only thing you need to do is just be yourself." On stage, Erivo launched into the original number Sometimes All You Need Is a Song, written by Scott Wittman, Marc Shaiman, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul. In her opening monologue, Erivo paid tribute to first-time nominees Escola, Sadie Sink, Louis McCartney and "an up-and-comer that I think you're going to really be hearing quite a bit about: George Clooney". At one point, Erivo was joined on stage by singer Sara Bareilles for a rendition of Tomorrow from the musical Annie, in tribute to those in the theatre community who had died throughout the year. A star-studded lineup of presenters included Samuel L Jackson and wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Ben Stiller and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Calling back to Winfrey's talk show days, Erivo told her to check under her chair, where she found a gift bag containing a toy car. "You get a car!" Erivo said. "I've been waiting all night to do that." Maybe Happy Ending lead actor Criss, thanked his wife in an emotional acceptance speech. "Your love and your support for me and our beautiful children, combined with the miracle of working on something as magical as Maybe Happy Ending, has been and will always be award enough," he said. Purpose, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' drawing-room drama won best new play, while Sam Pinkleton won best director of a play for Oh, Mary! "Broadway is officially back," Erivo told the crowd during the show, referencing the industry's highest-grossing season on record. Delighting the audience, the original cast of Hamilton reunited to perform a medley to celebrate the show's 10th anniversary. Francis Jue, who won as best featured actor in a play for Yellow Face, paid tribute to those struggling in the current political climate. "To those who don't feel seen, to those who are being targeted in these authoritarian times, I see you at its best," he said. "This community sees you."
