Tony Awards 2025’s biggest moments: 10 years of ‘Hamilton,’ Cynthia Erivo, more
Lin-Manuel Miranda (left) and Leslie Odom Jr. perform a medley from “Hamilton” during the 78th Tony Awards on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Image: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
The 10th anniversary of “Hamilton” and showstopping performances — either through a breathtaking vocal display by Cynthia Erivo or a brief sing-along like Kristin Chenoweth and Adam Lambert — were the highlights of the 78th Tony Awards held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York, on Sunday, June 8 (June 9 in the Philippines).
This year’s Tony Awards were a celebration of star power and a callback to beloved classics, with Erivo effortlessly balancing hosting and performing duties, and the reunion of the stars of the hit musical “Hamilton” as some of its most shining moments.
Take a look at the highlights of the 78th edition of theater’s biggest night:
Cynthia Erivo takes double duty with no sweat
With a triumphant declaration of “Broadway is officially back,” Erivo brought her theatrical flair as the host of this year’s ceremony. It seemed like hosting was a piece of cake for her, sharing funny moments and funny interactions with Oprah Winfrey, Kristin Chenoweth, Aaron Tveit, and Adam Lambert, to name a few.
“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
Kristin Chenoweth, Aaron Tveit and Adam Lambert join Cynthia Erivo in song during her opening performance for the 2025 #TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/aeR1y7R1W8
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 9, 2025
But Erivo’s shining moment was closing the Emmys with a funny rendition of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going,” where she changed its popular lyrics to “And you, and you / You’ll get a Tony.”
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‘Hamil-ten’
Fans of “Hamilton” raised their glass to freedom as Lin-Manuel Miranda and the stars of the musical’s original 2015 cast (including Leslie Odom Jr., Jonathan Groff, Renee-Elise Goldsberry, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Phillipa Soo) reunited for a heartwarming performance in celebration of its 10th anniversary.
Setting the stage on fire with a medley of “Non-Stop,” “My Shot,” “You’ll Be Back,” “The Room Where it Happens,” and “The Schuyler Sisters,” it was hard to believe that 10 years have passed since “Hamilton” made its premiere onstage.
Renee-Elise Goldsberry, Jasmine Cephas-Jones e Phillipa Soo como as Schuyler Sisters #TonyAwardsComAReview
— Review Musical (@areviewmusical) June 9, 2025
Nicole, Sarah, and Darren’s first Tony
The awards ceremony was also an unforgettable night of firsts for Nicole Scherzinger, Sarah Snook, and Darren Criss, who brought home their first Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, and Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, respectively.
Snook, who was recognized for her captivating performance in “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” said she never felt alone despite her play being branded as a “one-person show.”
“This means so much for the little Australian girl to be here on Broadway,” she said in her speech. “[The Picture of Dorian Gray] is billed as a one-person show, and I don’t feel alone any night that I do this show. There are so many people on stage making it work and behind the stage making it work.”
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Meanwhile, Scherzinger was emotional as she dedicated her award to those “who felt alone” at some point in their lives.
“Growing up, I always felt like I didn’t belong, but you all made me feel like I belonged, and I have come home. At last. If there’s anyone who feels like they don’t belong or their time hasn’t come, don’t give up,” she said in her acceptance speech.
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Criss, on the other hand, dedicated his historic win to his wife Mia, who was the reason why his award-winning performance in “Maybe Happy Ending” was possible.
George, Amal Clooney’s ‘date night’
Not even a debut appearance at the Tony Awards could make George Clooney embarrassed about expressing his love to his wife, Amal Clooney, who turned the star-studded night into a mini date.
The couple was spotted holding hands and leaning close to one another throughout the event.
George & Amal Clooney at the #TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/WvZcamKG7F
— 𝓐𝓻𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓪 𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓸𝓯 𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓿𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓵 (@yourfavnook) June 8, 2025
Clooney was nominated for Best Leading Actor in a Play for his performance in “Good Night, and Good Luck,” with Cole Escola taking the win. Escola made history as the first non-binary actor to bring home the award.
A night of divas
Even before the Tony Awards began, critics and theater fans have been banking on either Scherzinger or Audra McDonald to win the Best Actress for a musical plum.
While the award eventually went to Scherzinger, it was nonetheless a spectacular evening for the theater divas to showcase satisfying performances of “As If We Never Said Goodbye” and “Rose’s Turn.”
Nicole Scherzinger performs a number from #SunsetBlvd at the 2025 #TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/WSQXuEOKxY
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 9, 2025
Audra McDonald performs “Rose’s Turn” on The Tony Awards® pic.twitter.com/3vqkcdSa1B
— Gypsy on Broadway (@gypsybway) June 9, 2025
The Pussycat Dolls star’s performance was a masterclass of elegance while belting out the song’s high notes, while McDonald was a display of theatrics while maintaining “Rose’s Turn’s” unique mix of high notes. /edv
