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
Rangers fail to duplicate road success at MSG, fall to 2-8-1 at home after loss to Lightning

Rangers Struggle to Replicate Road Triumphs at MSG, Suffer 2-8-1 Home Record with Loss to Lightning

By Allan Kreda The New York Rangers are currently leading the NHL…
Dad fights off repeat offender accused of creeping toward kids as family slept – ‘Somebody’s in our house’

Brave Dad Confronts Intruder Threatening Family’s Safety While They Slept

A family in Denver recently experienced a scenario that would send chills…
Winning Powerball numbers for August 23, 2025

Unlock Your Fortune: Check the Winning Numbers for Powerball’s November 29th Draw!

WASHINGTON — With no winners emerging in Wednesday’s drawing, the Powerball jackpot…
JSO employee arrested for trying to meet minor for sex in St. Johns County

Tragic Discovery: Authorities Investigate Fatal Incident Following Gunfire in Southside Area

Authorities have assured the public that the incident appears to be a…
Leaked Texts Tie AG Barr’s Daughter to Candace Owens Blackmail

Explosive Leak: AG Barr’s Daughter Entangled in Candace Owens Blackmail Scandal

Leaked text messages published by Project Veritas have sparked a fresh controversy…
Gridlock Sam’s transportation list for Mamdani’s first 100 days

Unlocking NYC: Gridlock Sam’s Strategic Blueprint for Mamdani’s First 100 Days

Zohran Mamdani has the chance to reshape New York City streets in…
Parolee with lengthy criminal history identified in deadly crash that killed Colorado father, 3 children

Parolee with Extensive Criminal Record Involved in Fatal Colorado Crash, Claiming Lives of Father and Three Children

Authorities have identified the victims of a devastating car crash in Colorado…
Israeli Soldiers Execute Surrendering Palestinians in Jenin Raid

Controversial Jenin Raid: Israeli Soldiers Accused of Executing Surrendering Palestinians

Video from Jenin in the occupied West Bank shows Israeli border police…
Antifa agitation turns violent in Germany, bolstering Trump administration's foreign terror label

Escalating Antifa Protests in Germany Spark International Debate on Terror Classification

On Saturday, an extensive demonstration featuring activists from the radical group Antifa,…
Victims in deadly Colorado carjacking crash identified as suspect's ID kept under wraps: 'Incomprehensible'

Identities of Colorado Carjacking Crash Victims Revealed, Suspect’s Name Remains Confidential

Authorities have identified the victims of a tragic car crash in Colorado…
Afghan National Freed Under Biden Program Arrested After TikTok Bomb Threat in Fort Worth

Controversial Release: Afghan National’s TikTok Bomb Threat Shakes Fort Worth After Biden Program Grant

An Afghan national, who entered the United States through President Biden’s Operation…
Zootopia 2: Meet the voices behind some new characters in Disney-animated sequel, including Fortune Feimster and Ke Huy Quan

Disney Unveils New Voices for ‘Zootopia 2’: Fortune Feimster and Ke Huy Quan Join the Animated Sequel

LOS ANGELES — Disney’s highly anticipated “Zootopia 2” is making waves at…