Oprah Winfrey shades Patti LuPone over Audra McDonald drama at 2025 Tony Awards
Share this @internewscast.com

Oprah’s got jokes.

Oprah Winfrey took the stage at the 2025 Tony Awards on Sunday and appeared to shade Patti LuPone for her drama with Audra McDonald.

While presenting the award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, a category in which McDonald, 54, was nominated, Winfrey, 71, addressed the audience, saying, “Our celebration of this astounding year in live theater turns to the women whose work sparked lively conversations among theater fans.”

Winfrey then paused, shot a knowing look at the crowd as they laughed, and added, “Lotta talking going on!”

McDonald was in the audience for Winfrey’s comment. She lost the Leading Actress in a Musical award to “Sunset Boulevard” star Nicole Scherzinger.

LuPone, on the other hand, did not attend the Tonys. She was not nominated this year, but her “The Roomate” co-star Mia Farrow received a nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play.

Spencer Althouse, BuzzFeed’s editorial director, posted a clip of Winfrey’s speech on X (formerly Twitter) and commented, “Omg not Oprah Winfrey throwing shade at Patti LuPone while presenting at the Tony Awards lol.”

Other fans pointed out that Winfrey’s line, “Lotta talking going on,” is from Beyoncé’s song “American Requiem.”

“and quoting ameriican requiem exactlyyyy,” one fan tweeted.

“and the ending?! ohhhh AMERIICAN REQUIIEM your power,” another fan said.

A third person wrote, “is that American Requiem i’m hearing?!!”

Last month, LuPone, 76, sparked controversy for bashing fellow Broadway stars McDonald and Kecia Lewis in an interview with The New Yorker.

The “Agatha All Along” actress said that McDonald was “not a friend” and called Lewis, 59, a “b-tch” who “doesn’t know what the f–k she’s talking about.”

“Oh, my God,” LuPone said of the “Hell’s Kitchen” actress. “Here’s the problem. She calls herself a veteran? Let’s find out how many Broadway shows Kecia Lewis has done, because she doesn’t know what the f–k she’s talking about. She’s done seven. I’ve done thirty-one. Don’t call yourself a vet, b-tch.”

Following LuPone’s comments, more than 500 Broadway artists signed an open letter slamming the actress.

“This language is not only degrading and misogynistic – it is a blatant act of racialized disrespect,” the letter read. “It constitutes bullying. It constitutes harassment. It is emblematic of the microaggressions and abuse that people in this industry have endured for far too long, too often without consequence.”

LuPone apologized for her comments in an Instagram statement on May 31, calling her words “demeaning and disrespectful.”

“I regret my flippant and emotional responses during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior has offended others and has run counter to what we hold dear in this community,” she stated. “I hope to have the chance to speak to Audra and Kecia personally to offer my sincere apologies.”

LuPone added, “I wholeheartedly agree with everything that was written in the open letter shared yesterday. I made a mistake, I take full responsibility for it, and I am committed to making this right. Our entire theatre community deserves better.”

McDonald, for her part, was asked about LuPone’s comments in an interview with Gayle King on “CBS Mornings” before LuPone issued her apology.

“If there’s a rift between us, I don’t know what it is,” said McDonald.

“That’s something you’d have to ask Patti about,” the “Gypsy” star continued. “You know, I haven’t seen her in about 11 years just because we’ve been busy just with life. So I don’t know what rift she’s talking about, but you’d have to ask her.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Young lovers found dead in NYC home in tragic murder-suicide: cops

Tragic NYC Murder-Suicide: Young Couple’s Heartbreaking Story Unveiled

In a tragic incident in Queens early Wednesday, a 20-year-old man fatally…
Trump wages war on California insurance giants over wildfire payouts while teasing probe: ‘Horrendous companies’

Trump Challenges California Insurance Titans Over Wildfire Payout Disputes, Hints at Investigation: ‘Terrible Companies

President Trump has criticized State Farm and other insurance companies, accusing them…
Indiana tightens rules on migrant truckers, requires visas and English proficiency

Indiana Implements New Regulations for Migrant Truck Drivers: Visas and English Skills Now Mandatory

Indiana authorities are taking steps to revoke commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for…
Vermin infestation forces closure of popular Dave & Buster's in Hollywood

Pest Problem Shuts Down Beloved Dave & Buster’s in Hollywood

A pest issue has abruptly halted activities at Dave & Buster’s in…
Florida hospital patient finally leaves room after 5 months amid legal battle

Florida Patient Finally Discharged After 5-Month Legal Standoff – A Story of Resilience

A Florida hospital has recently withdrawn its legal action against a patient…
Trump says Iran asked for cease-fire — but US will bomb regime 'back to the Stone Ages' until Strait of Hormuz opens

Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire Plea Amidst Threat to Strike Until Strait of Hormuz Reopens

WASHINGTON — President Trump announced on Wednesday that Iran has purportedly requested…
Massive 1,400-pound great white shark 'Breton' located near Turks and Caicos

1,400-Pound Great White Shark ‘Breton’ Tracked Near Turks and Caicos

In a remarkable journey that has captivated marine researchers and enthusiasts alike,…
Young brothers find human skull near creek; dozens more bones discovered in deadly mystery

Chilling Discovery: Young Brothers Uncover Human Skull and Dozens of Bones Near Creek, Sparking Investigation

Two young brothers’ innocent playtime near a creek in South Carolina took…
UAE ready to help US open Strait of Hormuz by force: report

Report: UAE Prepared to Assist US in Reopening Strait of Hormuz through Forceful Measures

The United Arab Emirates is reportedly gearing up to collaborate with the…
Artemis II launches astronauts around the moon in first deep space mission since Apollo

Historic Artemis II Mission: NASA Sends Astronauts on Groundbreaking Lunar Journey, First Deep Space Voyage Since Apollo Era

In a historic leap for space exploration, the Artemis II mission propelled…
Florida Supreme Court keeps ex-cop's execution on hold after DNA test fails to give a clear answer

Florida Supreme Court Maintains Execution Suspension for Former Officer Following Inconclusive DNA Test Results

The execution of a former police officer, previously convicted of the murder…
Russian military plane crash in Crimea kills 29 people

Tragic Russian Military Plane Crash in Crimea Claims 29 Lives: Latest Updates and Investigation Insights

In a tragic incident, a Russian military plane crashed in Crimea, resulting…