Celebrating triumph: Nicole Scherzinger and Cole Escola take top honours at the 2025 Tony Awards
Nicole Scherzinger took home the prize for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.
Image: Instagram.
In a night filled with emotional moments and stunning performances, the Tony Awards shone brightly once again, marking a triumphant return for Broadway.
Among the night's highlights was the win of Nicole Scherzinger, who took home the prestigious award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her captivating portrayal in "Sunset Boulevard".
This victory was especially sweet as it came at the expense of six-time winner Audra McDonald, a Broadway star renowned for her commanding performances, particularly in "Gypsy".
Tears flowed as Scherzinger shared a heartfelt moment with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber onstage after her win.
"It's happened, Andrew!" she said.
Scherzinger added: "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."
The accolades didn't stop there; "Sunset Boulevard" also nabbed awards for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Lighting Design.
Webber noted, "It's just fantastic for me to see the old shows rethought and reworked."
The evening was also historic for Cole Escola, who emerged as the first non-binary winner of the Leading Actor in a Play award for their remarkable performance as an alcoholic Mary Todd Lincoln in the comedy "Oh, Mary!", a production Escola also wrote.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Cole Escola.
Image: Instagram.
Escola beat George Clooney, whose adaptation of "Good Night, and Good Luck" went home empty-handed.
Director Sam Pinkleton of "Oh, Mary!" joined the celebration, winning best direction of a play, triumphing over Sam Mendes.
The ceremony, hosted by Tony-winning actress Cynthia Erivo, opened with a vibrant musical performance that featured the Broadway Inspirational Voices and a special appearance by Oprah Winfrey.
In her opening speech, Erivo celebrated the resilience of theatre, sharing, "Broadway is officially back", following a record-breaking season that yielded an astounding US$1.89 billion at the box office.
The evening also included a stirring in memoriam tribute, where Erivo and singer-songwriter and musician Sara Bareilles delivered a moving rendition of "Tomorrow" from "Annie", honouring the memories of legendary stage stars such as Quincy Jones, Gavin Creel, Maggie Smith and James Earl Jones.
The Tony Award 2025 took place in New York City on Sunday, June 8, with Broadway's biggest and best stars turning out for the prestigious event.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Mollwane Madiba hits the airwaves in his quest for a matric dance date with Tyla
Will Tyla accept Mollwane Madiba's invitation to the matric dance? Image: Instagram As the matric dance season approaches, excitement builds for many high school students in South Africa. For Mollwane Madiba, the anticipation is particularly intense as he hopes to invite global superstar Tyla to be his date for the upcoming event. Mollwane, a devoted fan of Tyla and son of Princess Tirelo Molotlegi of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, has been on a mission to get the talented singer to accept his invitation. The quest began in February when he launched the 'Mollwane and Tyla for MD' challenge on TikTok, which quickly went viral. In a creative approach, Madiba gathered his schoolmates to create a visually stunning TikTok video that showcased their school spirit and support for him. The video features students asking, 'Who do you think Mollwane is taking to MD?' followed by the unanimous answer, 'Tyla, obviously', highlighting Madiba's status as one of Tyla's biggest fans. Tenacious 'Tyger' In an interview with 5FM's Jodell Tantji, Madiba explained how the idea originated from his love for Tyla. 'I've been a Tyla supporter for a while, and my friends know that I love Tyla,' he shared. The playful banter among his friends about who he would take to the matric dance inspired him to turn the joke into a viral concept. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Time is ticking With 10 videos posted and still no response from Tyla, time is running out for the hopeful student. His matric dance is set for June 27, just 17 days away. Recognising the urgency of the situation, 5FM has jumped on the 'Mollwane and Tyla for MD' bandwagon, working to amplify his message to the 23-year-old Grammy Award-winning singer. Madiba remains hopeful and dedicated to his cause, stating, 'I remain faithful.' Like many other 'Tygers' as Tyla's fans are known, he is not just a fan; he is committed to his 'stanship' and showcases his devotion across his TikTok feed. A matric dance is a significant event for many learners, representing a night of glamour, excitement, and celebration for the Grade 12 class. Some high schools choose to celebrate before the stressful exam period, while others hold their dances after the June exams or at the end of the year. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular for learners to invite well-known personalities, including celebrities and social media influencers, to be their dates. With the station's support, Madiba's quest to secure Tyla as his date is gaining momentum, and the countdown to the big night has only just begun.
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Mollwane Madiba hits the airwaves in his quest for a matric dance date with Tyla
Will Tyla accept Mollwane Madiba's invitation to the matric dance? Image: Instagram As the matric dance season approaches, excitement builds for many high school students in South Africa. For Mollwane Madiba, the anticipation is particularly intense as he hopes to invite global superstar Tyla to be his date for the upcoming event. Mollwane, a devoted fan of Tyla and son of Princess Tirelo Molotlegi of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, has been on a mission to get the talented singer to accept his invitation. The quest began in February when he launched the 'Mollwane and Tyla for MD' challenge on TikTok, which quickly went viral. In a creative approach, Madiba gathered his schoolmates to create a visually stunning TikTok video that showcased their school spirit and support for him. The video features students asking, 'Who do you think Mollwane is taking to MD?' followed by the unanimous answer, 'Tyla, obviously', highlighting Madiba's status as one of Tyla's biggest fans. Tenacious 'Tyger' In an interview with 5FM's Jodell Tantji, Madiba explained how the idea originated from his love for Tyla. 'I've been a Tyla supporter for a while, and my friends know that I love Tyla,' he shared. The playful banter among his friends about who he would take to the matric dance inspired him to turn the joke into a viral concept. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Time is ticking With 10 videos posted and still no response from Tyla, time is running out for the hopeful student. His matric dance is set for June 27, just 17 days away. Recognising the urgency of the situation, 5FM has jumped on the 'Mollwane and Tyla for MD' bandwagon, working to amplify his message to the 23-year-old Grammy Award-winning singer. Madiba remains hopeful and dedicated to his cause, stating, 'I remain faithful.' Like many other 'Tygers' as Tyla's fans are known, he is not just a fan; he is committed to his 'stanship' and showcases his devotion across his TikTok feed. A matric dance is a significant event for many learners, representing a night of glamour, excitement, and celebration for the Grade 12 class. Some high schools choose to celebrate before the stressful exam period, while others hold their dances after the June exams or at the end of the year. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular for learners to invite well-known personalities, including celebrities and social media influencers, to be their dates. With the station's support, Madiba's quest to secure Tyla as his date is gaining momentum, and the countdown to the big night has only just begun.
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Chicken feet and champions: Kolisi, Mapimpi and Am enjoy Mzansi's fave dish
On a boys day out, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi decides to kick back with his teammates. The setting is just as epic as the man himself. Recently, Siya Kolisi and fellow Sharks and Bok players Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am took a much-needed break from the pressures of the rugby field. They indulged in a classic South African meal, chicken feet and dombolo (steamed bread). It was the perfect occasion for Siya, Makazole and Lukhanyo to enjoy Mzansi's favourite dish together. What started as a simple meal turned into a celebration of culture, food and camaraderie. There was also a side of humour and some playful banter from fans and teammates. Traditional feast in Durban: the Xhosa way Chicken feet and dombolo. Picture via Instagram The Rugby World Cup winners headed to Fresh Food with Thuladu, a popular eatery in the heart of Durban. It serves up traditional South African dishes, like the ones Kolisi, Mapimpi and Am relish. The setting was relaxed, with the men indulging in a hearty meal while sharing stories, laughter and, of course, a touch of rugby banter. But it wasn't just the food that caught everyone's attention. It was the bond between these Xhosa men that was highlighted when they relished the traditional dish. Siya, known for his strong connection to his Xhosa heritage, posted a picture of the meal with a caption that included their Xhosa clan names: Zikhali, uQhinebe, and oGqwashu. To netizens who saw the post, it felt like a reunion of the Dyani's, a term that means 'big man', 'grown man,' or, as locals say, 'Grootman'. This was a nod to those who have successfully gone through the rites of passage in Xhosa culture. For many, it was a powerful moment of shared identity and respect for their ancestry. Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am: the silent giants While Siya may be the captain, his teammates Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am are no strangers to the spotlight. Mapimpi is often seen as the quiet, stoic but most fashionable player in SA. He was at ease as he sat down with Siya and Lukhanyo. The trio looked content over plates filled with chicken feet, dombolo, and other offal delicacies. Lukhanyo is often reserved. However, you could see in the photos that he was savouring the rare opportunity for a bit of fun while standing out with Kolisi and Mampimpi. ALSO READ: WATCH: Inside Ntando Duma's magical wedding to Una Rams Offal: South African tradition of brotherhood In South Africa, meals like offal, the internal organs of animals such as the liver, heart, and kidneys, have long been associated with tradition and brotherhood. Men often share these hearty meals over good conversation, sometimes accompanied by a cold beer. It's a time-honoured tradition that goes beyond food; it's about bonding, sharing wisdom, and celebrating life. The meal Kolisi, Mampimpi and Am enjoyed was a reflection of their heritage and the unity they feel as teammates. South African captain Siya Kolisi lifts the trophy at the Rugby World Cup 2023 final between New Zealand and South Africa at the Stade de France on 28 October 2023 in Paris, France. Picture:Siya's Instagram post didn't go unnoticed. Fellow celebrities were quick to jump into the comments with playful jabs and cheers. One follower affectionately called them 'Desiney's Child,' a nod to the legendary R&B group, Destiny's Child, all while enjoying Mzansi's prescribed dish with Mampimpi and Lukhanyo. Another teammate, Eben Etzebeth, couldn't resist poking fun, quipping, 'Really nailed it with that food, yummy.' The comments were full of love, proving that the gents picked the right dish for a fun boys' day out. ALSO READ: SA's Amapiano DJ duo TxC wins BET award From the looks of it, this meal wasn't just about satisfying their hunger. It was a chance for these athletes to recharge, bond, and celebrate their shared history. In the end, it was the perfect choice for a boys' day out, illustrated beautifully by Kolisi, Am and Mapimpi enjoying Mzansi's favourite dish.
