Patti LuPone on Audra McDonald: Broadway icon calls former colleague 'not a friend' amidst reports of rift
The 76-year-old actress, known for her commanding stage presence, did not mince words when discussing their fractured relationship.
LuPone, who has won three Tony Awards and starred in some of Broadway's most beloved productions, stated plainly, 'She's not a friend.'
The comment, from her revealing interview with The New Yorker, came in response to questions surrounding McDonald's current role as Rose in Gypsy, a character LuPone famously portrayed in 2008, which earned her a Tony Award.
When pressed about the cause of their estrangement, LuPone mentioned a past incident without providing specifics. However, her frustration was palpable.
gonna start saying 'what a beautiful day' when people ask me how a show was pic.twitter.com/85uH5tFCJj — Tom Smyth (@Tom_Smyth_) May 26, 2025
While the pair have shared the stage on several occasions—most notably in the 2000 New York Philharmonic concert version of Sweeney Todd—their personal bond appears to have disintegrated over time.
LuPone, who has long been an outspoken figure in the theatre world, has no interest in rekindling the friendship, and her comments suggest a permanent break.
The two Broadway legends have had vastly different careers in the theatre world, with McDonald, 54, receiving 11 Tony nominations (the most of any performer in history) and winning six.
LuPone, in contrast, has been recognized for her powerful performances in productions such as Evita and Gypsy, earning her three Tony Awards.
However, despite their mutual acclaim, their personal relationship has evidently soured.
Adding to the complexity of their public falling-out, LuPone did not shy away from discussing a separate social media dispute with Kecia Lewis, a fellow performer.
The conflict arose after Lewis criticized LuPone's comments on the musical Hell's Kitchen, calling her remarks 'microaggressive' and 'rooted in privilege.'
LuPone's response was blunt and confrontational, further highlighting her tendency to speak her mind without reservation.
Though it's clear that LuPone and McDonald are no longer friends, the former's candor about their fractured relationship is a reminder of the complex dynamics within the Broadway community.
As LuPone continues to make her mark in television and film, her past disputes remain part of her larger narrative, one that shows no signs of fading into the background.
With her new role in And Just Like That… and an illustrious career spanning decades, LuPone remains one of Broadway's most compelling and divisive figures.
Whether her feuds with former colleagues are part of the larger fabric of her career or simply a reflection of her unapologetic nature remains to be seen.
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