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
Wes Streeting speaking in the House of Commons.

Junior Doctors Earning Over £90,000 Annually Join Strikes in Pursuit of 29% Pay Increase

NEARLY 2,000 junior doctors earned over £90,000 in one year, the Sun…
Trump Teases Imminent Release of 10 More Hamas Hostages at Friday Night White House Dinner

Trump Hints at Possible Release of 10 More Hamas Hostages During White House Dinner

During a dinner at the White House with lawmakers, Trump praised the…
Parents believe daughter who vanished from cruise ship 27 years ago is still alive

Family Holds Hope that Daughter Who Disappeared from Cruise 27 Years Ago Survives

It’s been 27 years since Amy Bradley disappeared, yet her father, Ron…
Kerrville flood: Lost dog Goldie found by rescue team

Rescue Team Reunites Lost Dog Goldie After Kerrville Flood

Goldie was located 14 days after disappearing during the floods. Kerrville Pets…

Tourist Boat Carrying 53 Capsizes in Vietnam: At Least 3 Dead, Search for Survivors Continues

AT least three people have died after a tourist boat capsized in…
German customs officials seize 1,500 tarantulas smuggled in international spongecake shipment

German Customs Seize 1,500 Smuggled Tarantulas Hidden in Spongecake Shipment

German customs officials were in for an unsettling surprise when they discovered…
Aftermath of a car driving into a crowd in Los Angeles.

Vehicle Incident in Los Angeles Leaves Over 20 Injured, Including Five Critically

AT least 20 people have been injured after a vehicle ploughed into…
Portrait of a smiling pilot in uniform.

Air India Pilot’s Chilling Last Words Before Leaving for Fatal Flight as Investigation Reveals Fuel Switches Were Turned Off

AIR India’s captain reportedly made a haunting plea as he left home…
Aerial view of police and emergency vehicles at a scene.

Tragic Explosion Claims Lives of Three Sheriff’s Deputies During Routine Drill at LA County Training Center

AT least three people have been killed in an explosion at a…
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle mocked for second time in 'Family Guy' episode

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Satirized Again in Latest ‘Family Guy’ Episode

“Family Guy” is at it again.  The animated series once again poked…
In-N-Out heiress Lynsi Snyder reveals she's moving family out of California as company expands east

In-N-Out Heiress Lynsi Snyder Announces Move Out of California as Business Expands Eastward

In-N-Out of here! Billionaire Lynsi Snyder, heir to the In-N-Out Burger fortune,…
Florida GOP rep comes after House's WSJ subscription: 'Filthy'

Florida Republican Representative Criticizes House’s Wall Street Journal Subscription: ‘Inappropriate’

Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) is urging the House to cancel its subscriptions…