Watch highlights from the 2025 Tony Awards in under 3 minutes
Watch moments from the 78th annual Tony Awards, hosted by 'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo. It was a night of first-time winners, including Sarah Snook, who won for leading actress in a play, and Darren Criss for leading actor in a musical. Nicole Scherzinger won for best performance by a leading actress in a musical, and the original cast of 'Hamilton' reunited to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
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Daily Mirror
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Harry Potter star sparks social media outrage with JK Rowling remark
British star Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film franchise, was asked his opinion on JK Rowling and her contentious online anti trans views Actor Tom Felton provoked social media commotion after weighing in on JK Rowling 's political views. The Harry Potter author's regular transphobic rants on X have split fans of the film franchise and enraged the LGBTQ+ community. Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson have both distanced themselves from JK following her numerous outbursts, but not everyone has turned their back. The underfire writer, birth name Joanne Rowling, implied last year that she will "never forgive" the film's stars for speaking out in support of trans people. But now 37-year-old Brit Tom, who played Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter, has broken ranks to refused to criticise the woman who launched his career. When asked if asked if the controversy around the author's views on gender identity affected him, the star replied: "I'm not really that attuned to it, I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter - she's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful," when asked his views by Variety at the Tony Awards. 'The only thing I always remind myself is that I've been lucky enough to travel the world, here I am in New York. I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter." His comments sparked a mixed response online. One person reposted the publications interview, writing: "This is what privilege looks like, and we shouldn't ignore how much harm looking the other way because things don't affect us directly does. don't be Tom Felton." Another said: "I mean, you should distance yourself from Rowling. Her Harry Potter profits go to anti-transgender organizations." A third made clear their views, writing: "What would a privileged straight white cis-male know about the oppression faced by my trans colleagues?" Others had a different take. "Thank goodness someone in that franchise learned not to bite the hand that feeds him," someone wrote in support of the writer, while another took to X to say: "Who would have thought Draco would be the most level-headed." Back in 2020, when JK first went public with her gender critical views, both Daniel and Emma issued statements of support for the trans community and have reiterated their positions several times since. "Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo [Rowling] or I," Daniel wrote in response to Rowling's tweet in June 2020. Actors who have starred in JK Rowling adaptations have signed an open letter standing "in solidarity" with members of the LGBT+ community "impacted" by the recent Supreme Court ruling on gender. Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, who led the Fantastic Beasts films, and Katie Leung, who played Cho Chang in the Harry Potter film series, are among the stars who have signed the open letter addressed to film and TV industry bodies, encouraging them to support the trans community. Ghosts actress Charlotte Ritchie, who appeared as a student in Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, and Breeders star Daisy Haggard, who voiced the Ministry Of Magic lift in the Harry Potter films, also signed the letter. Another signatory was Bridgerton actress Bessie Carter, the daughter of Dame Imelda Staunton, who played Dolores Umbridge in the popular films about witchcraft and wizardry.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Tony Awards bombshells - Nicole Scherzinger's tears to George Clooney slammed
The Tony Awards took place last night at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with a shock win for former Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger and a dig at a Hollywood legend The Tony Awards aired yesterday evening, with Cynthia Erivo on hosting duties. The Wicked star fronted the iconic award ceremony, which was attended by a number of stars including Hollywood legend George Clooney. The ceremony - which aired live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City - saw a number of stars receive huge accolades including Nicole Scherzinger, who won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Here, The Mirror takes a look at some of the biggest moments from the night - when one Hollywood star found himself being straddled, whilst another was the butt of the host's jokes. Nicole's tears Nicole Scherzinger was emotional, explaining how she felt like she "didn't belong" when she was growing up as picked up the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She received the accolade for playing Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic musical Sunset Boulevard on Broadway and in an emotional speech, she urged others to never "give up" on their dreams. She said: "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. So if there is anyone 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 light more than ever. This is a testament that love always wins." The Pussycat Dolls star fought off competition from Death Becomes Her stars Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard, Audra McDonald for her role in Gypsy and Boop actress Jasmine Amy Rogers to take home the accolade. Keanu straddled Hollywood star Keanu Reeves was left stunned when he was straddled by Jonathan Groff. The actor appeared on stage with a medley from Just in Time, as he made his way into the crowd. Whist in the crowd, Jonathan stood up on the armrests and crouched lower and lower, with Keanu easing into the routine. Fans rushed to social media after the moment and shared their feelings on it. "I've never been so jealous of two people at once," one wrote, as another added: "Keanu Reeves; a one-of-a-kind Hollywood legend." A third penned: "You could only do that with Keanu. The man is very gracious and will play along." Cynthia slams Hollywood legend Cynthia made a cheeky dig at the expense of Hollywood star George Clooney as she hosted the Tony Awards. In her opening speech, she was quick to praise a number of stars. She told the audience: "What a season, what a line-up of shows being honoured tonight: dramas, comedies, stunning musicals, originals and reimaginations of the highest order. "Featuring first-time nominees like Cole Escola, Sadie Sink, Louis McCartney — and an up-and-comer that I think you're going to be hearing a lot about: George Clooney. Good for you, George. Things are going your way, I like it a lot for you." The camera then panned to George who was sat alongside his wife Amal Clooney, who laughed at the joke. George shrugged his shoulders at the comment before then playing along and mouthing: "It's alright."
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
How ‘naff' Andrew Lloyd Webber staged an astonishing comeback
Who would have thought that the coolest composer of 2025, on both sides of the Atlantic, would turn out to be Andrew Lloyd Webber? On Sunday night Tony Awards voters handed the audacious new production of Sunset Boulevard three gongs: best revival of a musical, best lighting, and, ending the night's most fiercely competitive race, lead actress Nicole Scherzinger won over six-time Tony-winner Audra McDonald. The show was in modish company, with other victors ranging from queer revisionist historical romp Oh, Mary! to futuristic robot musical Maybe Happy Ending and another West End-originating production, sci-fi adventure Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Sunset's triumph caps an astonishing renaissance for the man who dominated musical theatre in the 1980s, but gradually became tagged with the 'naff' label. He was too big, too commercial, too lordly. The haters revelled in flops such as 2010's Phantom of the Opera sequel Love Never Dies (infamously rebranded as Paint Never Dries). Several musicals did maintain worldwide success – Phantom primarily – but they were regarded as heritage properties. No one would have described the 77-year-old composer as current or fashionable. But just when it looked like Lloyd Webber might exit stage left, he has instead begun his surprising third act. Even his most zealous critics must admit that he is the man of the moment. It's a particularly remarkable turnaround stateside, where this foreign intruder became a handy punching bag for commentators who rued the direction of Broadway. Lloyd Webber's work led the British Invasion in the 1980s: his mega-musicals became as renowned for their jaw-dropping spectacle, whether the hurtling chandelier in Phantom or or the roller-skaters' runway of Starlight Express, as their content. He was held personally responsible for an encroaching commercialisation – an unfair charge, since Broadway has always been a business, and there were plenty of other contributors, not least the all-American Disney corporation. When Lloyd Webber's most recent show, the pandemic lockdown-hobbled Cinderella, finally reached Broadway in 2023, critics savaged it with undisguised glee. (It didn't help that the title was changed to Bad Cinderella.) The New York Times called it 'sexed-up and dumbed-down', and the New York Post, in a one-star review, 'a wacko storybook dumpster fire'. It seemed to be the nail in Lloyd Webber's coffin. Enter hotshot director Jamie Lloyd, who has a talent for bold reinterpretation and glittering star casting. He took Hollywood fable Sunset Boulevard, which Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton adapted from Billy Wilder's movie, and reinvented it as a lean, film noir-esque monochromatic thriller. Suddenly a dusty musical was the hottest, and most powerfully resonant, show in town: a psychological horror for the 21 st century. The casting of 45-year-old former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger as faded starlet Norma Desmond was a masterstroke, refocusing the story as a critique of toxic celebrity culture and an absurdly ageist industry. Lloyd's use of cameras and screens reflected the subject matter while also chiming with a generation wedded to phone cameras and TikTok. No wonder Sunset racked up seven Olivier Awards, in 2024, and has now added three Tonys. But that's far from the only Lloyd Webber victory. Roller-skating train musical Starlight Express came thundering back down the track and is a London sensation once again. Even his most sneered-at musical (especially after the nightmarish film version) has been reborn: last year saw Cats get a fabulous queer makeover Off Broadway as The Jellicle Ball. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has also played a key role in this Lloyd Webber resurgence, staging slick, rock-fuelled versions of Jesus Christ Superstar (in 2016) and Evita (2019). Now the latter, again directed by Lloyd, is making an explosive West End transfer with a buzzy leading lady who is almost as divisive as Eva Perón herself. That star is Rachel Zegler, who shot to fame in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story in 2021, and has since come under fire for vigorously voicing her Pro-Palestinian views while promoting the appalling Snow White movie. Zegler, 24, will certainly attract a younger crowd to arguably Lloyd Webber's boldest, most creatively satisfying and most sharply satirical work. Lloyd located both its dark heart and its protagonist's gutsy, youthful, raw ambition in a contemporary production that knocked me sideways when I saw it in the park. It may feel even more pertinent in this summer's London Palladium run given its echoes of influencer culture and celebrity merging with populist politics (notably, it's Donald Trump's favourite musical). With Zegler on board, a Broadway transfer seems likely, meaning next year's Tonys could be another encore for the irrepressible Lloyd Webber. He's also collaborating with Lloyd on a new musical version of 2006 movie The Illusionist, and reuniting with lyricist Tim Rice for Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas, premiering at Birmingham Rep in November. The sun hasn't set on his empire just yet.
