The 78th Tony Awards took place last night (June 8) at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The ceremony, which honors the most outstanding achievement in Broadway productions over the past year, was hosted by British actress and singer Cynthia Erivo, who won a Tony for The Color Purple in 2015.
Purpose, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, took home the award for Best Play, while Maybe Happy Ending received six awards, including Best Musical and Leading Actor in a Musical for Darren Criss.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard won Best Revival of a Musical, with Nicole Scherzinger taking home the award for Leading Actress in a Musical.
The ceremony was marked by historic firsts, highly anticipated reunions, and a few cringe-worthy moments from some of the most extravagant figures in musical theater.
Here are the 15 most talked-about moments from the 2025 Tony Awards.
#1 Keanu Reeves receives a sensual dance from Jonathan Groff
Jonathan Groff performs a number from the Broadway show #JustInTime - including a funny moment with Keanu Reeves during the 2025 #TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/RpI8FhzOf5
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 9, 2025
#2 Oprah and Cynthia Erivo recreate the “finger-holding” interview
Cynthia Erivo and Oprah just recreated that famous Wicked "finger" moment at the Tony Awards pic.twitter.com/sHIKJJnAvJ
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 9, 2025
#3 Cole Escola sprinting to the stage after winning their first Tony
cole escola sprinting to get their tony 😭 pic.twitter.com/KJZtXgl9YI
— Vulture (@vulture) June 9, 2025
#4 Sarah Paulson’s dress hits the mic
not Jean Smart calling out Sarah Paulson for stealing her own joke lol#TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/FljA2HnLww
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 9, 2025
#5 Ariana Grande was nowhere to be seen
Fans were disappointed that Ariana Grande did not attend the Tony Awards, especially since her Wicked co-star was hosting the ceremony.
The two took the internet by storm during the film’s press tour last year, often becoming emotional as they reflected on how deeply the musical had resonated with audiences.
People did get to enjoy their voices together in March at the 97th Academy Awards, where they opened the show with a medley of Wicked’s Defying Gravity, Over the Rainbow, and Home.
Image credits: wickedmovie / cynthiaerivo / Instagram
#6 Cynthia Erivo gives Oprah a brand new car
"You get a car!" - Cynthia Erivo gifts Oprah Winfrey a toy car at the 2025 #TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/kK7iKGLTno
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 9, 2025
#7 Jennifer Simard’s “That was rude” sign
Jennifer confused viewers when she held up a sign reading “That was rude” as the winner for Best Lead Actress in a Musical was announced.
The sign referenced the viral “That was rude” line from the 2024 stage adaptation of Death Becomes Her, which has also become a popular sound bite on TikTok.
The three-time Tony nominee lost to Nicole Scherzinger, who took home her first Tony and thanked Sunset Boulevard director Jamie Lloyd for “changing [her] life forever” and making her feel like she “belongs.”
Image credits: JarettSays / X
#8 Cynthia Erivo plays off Kara Young during her acceptance speech
Kara Young just made history as the first Black person to win two consecutive Tonys, and they started playing her off with pre-recorded music of Cynthia Erivo singing Frank Sinatra's "My Way"
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 9, 2025
Kara: In this world where we are so divided, theater is a sacred space--
Cynthia's… pic.twitter.com/U5WYVYHtJQ
#9 The much-awaited Hamilton reunion
the original cast of Hamilton just performed a full medley at the Tonys to honor the 10th anniversary of the show. here's the entire performance pic.twitter.com/nFfVHwpPOC
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 9, 2025
#10 Sara Bareilles and Cynthia Erivo’s emotional “In Memoriam” performance
Cynthia Erivo and Sara Bareilles’s full memoriam tribute at the 2025 Tony Awards pic.twitter.com/zYWYqmEuTk
— Cynthia’s Admirers ♡ (@CynBabyErivo) June 9, 2025
#11 Cole Escola thanking “Tebo from Grindr”
cole escola is the funniest thing that’s happened to society since the introduction of miss piggy. pic.twitter.com/R1r3w3yFiY
— andres (@DblAuntAndres) June 9, 2025
#12 Natalie Venetia Belcon shooting her shot with Jason Momoa
lol at Natalie Venetia Belcon shooting her shot with Jason Momoa during her Tonys acceptance speech
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 9, 2025
"To the band, my obsession-- well, my second obsession. The first one is Jason Momoa. Hey, Jason! How you doin'?!" pic.twitter.com/dGxeKIZvV5
#13 Jamie Lloyd and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s dull speeches
At the #TonyAwards, Andrew Lloyd Webber explains how he's been interested in a #SunsetBlvd movie adaptation for "35 years" pic.twitter.com/MhaQ00TgRt
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 9, 2025
#14 Audra McDonald’s show-stopping Gypsy performance
Audra McDonald performs a piece from the Broadway show #Gypsy at the 2025 #TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/XvqP4Cc5Ls
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 9, 2025
#15 Cynthia Erivo’s memorable goodbye
Cynthia Erivo just got a standing ovation by closing the Tonys with her version of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." she changed the lyrics to be about tonight's ceremony
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 9, 2025
"And I am telling you I ~am~ going. This was the best time I'll ever know!" pic.twitter.com/KNuxxoiu1v
