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New York Post
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Smash' star Megan Hilty to take leave of absence from Broadway's ‘Death Becomes Her'
Megan Hilty is taking a break from 'Death Becomes Her.' The Broadway star, 44, who is also known for her stint on the TV show 'Smash,' announced her leave of absence from the stage production on Instagram Wednesday. Hilty stars as Madeline Ashton in the play adaptation of 1992 movie by the same name featuring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn, which has been running at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre since November 2024. 8 Megan Hilty stars as Madeline Ashton in the play adaptation of 1992 movie by the same name featuring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn. / 'I love my job,' Hilty started her lengthy post, adding that playing Madeline has been 'the most challenging and rewarding role I have ever taken on.' She emphasized the physical aspect of her role, noting she needs to take the next several weeks off to recover from a vocal injury. 'The lengths to which I have gone to make sure I can physically do the show is a job in itself – the regimen is too long for this post – but I do it joyfully because, as I mentioned before, I LOVE what I do,' the star explained. Calling the news 'painful,' Hilty shared that she's 'stepping away from my beloved DBH family for 3-4 weeks while I recover from a vocal injury that only time can heal.' The actress also shared that it's 'hard for me to admit I am human,' noting that 'performers are often asked to push through and pretend that we're not.' 8 The actress included this photo from the 2025 Tony Awards in her announcement. Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions 8 Megan Hilty has starred in 'Death Becomes Her' since it opened on Broadway in November. Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions 8 Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Josh Lamon and Christopher Sieber. Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman However, she said her 'Death Becomes Her' family thinks differently. 'I am so fortunate to work with the best producers, company, & stage managers, who don't subscribe to that way of thinking and fully support me and my fellow cast mates when our bodies tell us it's time for a break,' she continued. Hilty asked for patience and understanding during this transition period while encouraging others to research how vocal cords work. 8 Megan Hilty is taking a few weeks off to recover from a vocal injury. Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman 'We are athletes. And just like a professional basketball player, we are going to get injured from time to time – not because we aren't good at our jobs, it simply comes with the territory because of the extraordinary demands we put on our bodies,' she added. Hilty concluded, 'Thank you for your patience and support while I take this time to take care of myself to ensure my longevity with the show and my career, in general. 'In the meantime, Madeline's fabulous shoes will be filled brilliantly and I'll be counting the seconds until I can meet you back at the Lunt-Fontanne. 💋' 8 She praised her 'Death Becomes Her Family' while vocalizing their support. Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman 8 She recently performed a number from 'Death Becomes Her' at the 78th Tony Awards on Sunday. Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman The performer was recently diagnosed with tendinitis in her throat, telling the New York Times in May that it was due to 'the physical stuff I do with my neck in the show. It pulls on my voice box and I ultimately have to call out of the show if it's affecting my voice and it's too painful.' Hilty recently performed a number from 'Death Becomes Her' at the 78th Tony Awards on Sunday, June 8, where she was also nominated. 'Death Becomes Her' features Hilty as Madeline alongside fellow Tony nominee Jennifer Simard as Helen Sharp. Their co-stars include Michelle Williams, Christopher Sieber, Taurean Everett and Josh Lamon. 8 The actress was recently diagnosed with tendinitis in her time away from the stage comes just two days after 'Smash' on Broadway abruptly announced their final show after suffering a Tony Awards shutout. While she did not star in the Broadway production, Hilty played Ivy Lynn in the short-lived musical series, which only ran two seasons on NBC from 2012-2013. The last show of the Broadway production of 'Smash' will be June 22 after 32 previews and just 84 regular performances. The abrupt ending was revealed after The Post reported that the Tony Awards producers refused to let 'Smash' and 'Boop! The Betty Boop Musical' perform during the three-hour broadcast.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Over 30 Million People Watched Tom Felton's Bad Interview — Here's Why He Should Be Embarrassed
Note: This post is an Op-Ed and shares the author's personal views. Tom Felton is facing a ton of backlash right now, but I actually think it's fully deserved, so let's get into it. Warner Bros. Pictures, Jenny Anderson / Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions If you don't know, Tom played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, and he's about to return as Draco again for his Broadway debut in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the end of this year. However, while attending the Tony Awards on Sunday, he was asked about J.K. Rowling's disgusting anti-trans comments over the years. (For reference, she also just launched an organization to help fund anti-trans legislation, which is described as a "legal fighting fund for women protecting their sex-based rights.") Tom was specifically questioned about how Rowling's controversies and anti-trans views have impacted him and his work. The full question was: "Does the sort of Twitterverse controversy around J.K. Rowling's views impact you at all or impact your work on the world at all?" And his answer now has over 30 million views on Twitter. He immediately responded by saying no, declaring that he hasn't paid attention to Rowling's statements: "No, I can't say it does. I'm not really that attuned to it." He continued, "The only thing that I always remind myself is that I've been lucky enough to travel the world – here I am in New York – and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. And she's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful." Variety / Twitter: @Variety Related: Dan Rather's Defense Of A Gay Rights Icon Against Pete Hegseth Is Going Viral First of all, it's incredible how bad that response is. It's even more embarrassing when you realize that a PR rep probably prepared it for him. Like, he's had years of media training and should have anticipated that every interviewer's first question would be about J.K. Rowling. And if this response ~wasn't~ prepped, then, well, double shame on him. Anyway, Tom has expressed similar sentiments over the years, like in 2022 when he claimed to "not know enough about the specifics" in reference to Rowling's constant blows against trans people. He continued by saying, "My dog takes up far too much time for me to go into such matters," as if that was a valid excuse. He then backtracked a little, saying, 'I mean, the obvious things to say are that I'm pro-choice, pro-discussion, pro-human rights across the board, and pro-love. And anything that is not those things, I don't really have much time for." However, in that same interview, Tom also talked about how it's okay for people to have differing opinions and that he doesn't "take any pleasure in putting crosshairs on people that may have said things that we disagree with." The issue I have with this, though, is that basic human rights do not warrant differing opinions. It's disheartening for him to suggest otherwise. Like, we can disagree about favorite colors and movies and foods, but not about the existence and support of trans people. Tom's response is a verrrrry different tune from his Harry Potter co-stars. For example, Daniel Radcliffe wrote an op-ed back in 2020 where he correctly stated that trans women are women. He also called out J.K. Rowling specifically, saying, "Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I." Related: 9 Gay Movies And TV Shows That Are So Criminally Underrated, I Guarantee You've Never Seen Any Of Them Before Emma Watson has done the same, sharing her support for the trans community in 2020. She also tweeted directly to her trans fans and followers, saying, "I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are." And Rupert Grint has also followed suit, declaring that he "firmly stands with the trans community and echoes the sentiments expressed by many of my peers." All three of these actors' 2020 comments were in response to J.K. Rowling's lengthy essay about trans issues that she published during Pride Month that same year. Since then, Rowling has taken aim at all three Harry Potter stars for speaking out against her. She also "jokingly" implied that Dan, Emma, and Rupert are three actors who instantly ruin any movie for her when they appear in it. And this is why Tom Felton's refusal to acknowledge J.K. Rowling's comments is so gross and disappointing. To me, it says that he won't speak out against bigotry or injustice simply because it benefits him. After all, in addition to starring in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway, Tom also implied that he'll have a part in HBO's new Harry Potter TV show. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he said, "I'll definitely be sneaking into a background shot as an extra." There's also speculation that he'll have a larger behind-the-scenes role on the production side of the series as well. Many veteran actors who've been cast in this new HBO show have also been asked about Rowling's anti-trans views. For example, Nick Frost, who was recently cast as Hagrid, said, "She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form." And John Lithgow, who was literally nominated for an Oscar for portraying a trans woman in the 1982 movie The World According to Garp, said he never expected any criticism after accepting the role of Albus Dumbledore. Then, when asked if that backlash made him question his choice, he exclaimed, 'Oh, heavens no.' In case you're curious, Lox Pratt has been cast as Draco Malfoy, the role Tom Felton originated, and Johnny Flynn has been cast as Lucius Malfoy, Draco's dad (aka the role some people thought Tom might play, as he's now 37 years old). Now, my personal relationship with Harry Potter has changed over the years, especially as a queer person. I'm a fan of the series, and though I sometimes struggle with the notion of separating art from the artist, I've distanced myself more and more from the franchise due to Rowling's comments (which is unfortunate because so many people have found a home in it!). Spencer Althouse I do believe the world of Harry Potter is bigger than Rowling herself, which is why I can understand when some of the stars publicly share praise for what she's built, especially since it helped launch their careers. However, it's possible (and necessary) to stand up for what's right and draw the line between criticism and blind loyalty. That's exactly what Daniel Radcliffe did in 2024, saying: "Jo [Rowling], obviously Harry Potter would not have happened without her, so nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is without that person. But that doesn't mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire life." Tom Felton, however, is actively choosing to ignore the elephant in the room. It's disingenuous to pretend that Rowling's statements don't affect him, especially since her very comments endanger the lives of people in the trans and queer community, many of whom are his fans. To me, this implies that Tom cares more about collecting a paycheck than standing up for trans rights, which are human rights, and I desperately need him to do better. Looking for more LGBTQ+ or Pride content? Check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2025. Also in LGBT: In An Apparent Attempt To Scrub "Gay" Content From The Department Of Defense, The Trump Administration Got Rid Of The Straightest Content Ever
Extra.ie
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Tony Awards 2025: Full list of winners
Nicole Scherzinger was among the big winners at the 78th annual Tony Awards, which took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The singer picked up the Best Actress in a Musical award for a spell as film star Norma Desmon in Sunset Boulevard. An emotional singer turned actress revealed she 'always felt like I didn't belong' when she was growing up, adding 'you all have made me feel like I belong and I have come home.' Nicole Scherzinger was among the big winners at the 78th annual Tony Awards, which took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions The talent judge stunned in a glittery red strapless dress which featured a sexy slit on one side. Nicole wore her hair up on a slick back bun and paired her dress with matching red shoes, a red lip. She kept her jewelry simple with a silver necklace and small earrings. The awards ceremony was hosted by Wicked's Cynthua Erivo, with Sarah Snook picking up the Best Leading Actress in a Play for her portrayal of 26 characters in her solo performance of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Romantic sci-fi musical Maybe Happy Ending was the big winner on the night, taking home seven awards. These included Best Musical; Best Original Score and Best Scenic Design of a Tony Awards Productions Darren Criss, of Glee fame, picked up the Best Leading Actor in a Musical gong for his role in the production. Cola Escola made history in becoming the first openly non-binary performer to win Best Leading Actor in a Play. The star won the award for their performance in Oh, Mary! which also picked up Best Direction of a Play for Sam Pinkleton. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Here is the full list of all the winners at the annual Tony Awards: Best Book of a Musical – Maybe Happy Ending Best Costume Design of a Musical – Maybe Happy Ending Cynthia Erivo. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Best Costume Design of a Play – Jaja's African Hair Braiding Best Direction of a Musical – Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending) Best Direction of a Play – Sam Pinkleton (Oh, Mary!) Darren Criss and Mia Swier attend The 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 08, 2025 in New York City. Pic:Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Jak Malone (Operation Mincemeat) Best Featured Actor in a Play – Francis Jue (Yellow Face) Best Featured Actress in a Musical – Natalie Venetia Belcon (Buena Vista Social Club) Jonathan Groff and Sadie Sink. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Best Featured Actress in a Play – Kara Young (Purpose) Best Leading Actor in a Musical – Darren Criss (Maybe Happy Ending) Best Leading Actor in a Play – Cole Escola (Oh, Mary!) Lea Michele. PicBest Leading Actress in a Musical – Nicole Scherzinger (Sunset Blvd.) Best Leading Actress in a Play – Sarah Snook (The Picture of Dorian Gray) Best Lighting Design of a Musical – Water for Elephants David Cumming. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Best Lighting Design of a Play – An Enemy of the People Best Musical – Maybe Happy Ending Best Orchestrations – Maybe Happy Ending Amal Clooney and George Clooney. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre – Maybe Happy Ending Best Play – Purpose Best Revival of a Musical – Sunset Blvd. Sarah Paulson. Pic:for Tony Awards Productions Best Revival of a Play – Eureka Day Best Scenic Design of a Musical – Maybe Happy Ending Best Scenic Design of a Play – An Enemy of the People Best Sound Design of a Musical – The Outsiders Best Sound Design of a Play – Appropriate
Newsweek
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Oprah Winfrey Shades Patti LuPone at Tonys
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Oprah Winfrey threw shade at Broadway star Patti LuPone during the Tony Awards on Sunday. LuPone did not attend the awards show following backlash over her comments about fellow Broadway stars including Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis. She later apologized for her remarks. Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage during the 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 8, 2025 in New York City. In the inset image, Patti LuPone attends the "Another Simple Favor" New... Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage during the 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 8, 2025 in New York City. In the inset image, Patti LuPone attends the "Another Simple Favor" New York screening at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 27, 2025 in New York City. Morefor Tony Awards Productions;"This astounding year in live theater turns to the women whose work sparked lively conversations among theater fans," Winfrey said, before pausing and looking at the audience. "Lot of talking going on," she added, seemingly referring to the lyrics in Beyoncé's song "Ameriican Requiem." Spencer Althouse, Buzzfeed's editorial director, wrote via X, formerly Twitter: "Omg not Oprah Winfrey throwing shade at Patti LuPone while presenting at the Tony Awards lol." At the time of publication, his video racked up more than 88,100 views on the platform. omg not Oprah Winfrey throwing shade at Patti LuPone while presenting at the Tony Awards lol — Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 9, 2025 This is a breaking story and will be updated with more information shortly.
Perth Now
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Musical theatre stars are out in force for the Tony awards
The biggest stars of Broadway were celebrating their craft at Radio City Music Hall for the 78th Annual Tony Awards this morning. It was a strong start for Australian talent, Sarah Snook took home the trophy in the best actress category, in what entertainment insiders considered a highly anticipated win. Host Cynthia Erivo of Wicked! and The Color Purple fame took down the house with a stunning performance of her original number 'Sometimes All You Need Is Song.' Leading the charge in the nominations are productions Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her and Maybe Happy Ending each with ten nominations. The awards show has been going since 1947 and this year's broadcast will feature a performance by the cast of Hamilton to celebrate ten years since the show emerged on Broadway and dominated the scene. Hamilton still leads as the musical production with the most nominations in Tony history with 16. Actors, actresses and performers seen stunning the red carpet include Keanu Reeves and Bill and Ted costar Alex Winter, Glenn Close, Adam Lambert, Bryan Cranston, George and Amal Clooney, and Katie Holmes. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Katie Holmes attends The 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo byfor Tony Awards Productions) Credit: Cindy Ord / Getty Images for Tony Awards Pro NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: (L-R) Glenn Close, Adam Lambert and Auli'i Cravalho attend The 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo byfor Tony Awards Productions) Kevin Mazur Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: (L-R) Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter attend The 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo byfor Tony Awards Productions) Kevin Mazur Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: (L-R) Bryan Cranston and Daryl Roth attend The 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage) Arturo Holmes Credit: Arturo Holmes / WireImage NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Dylan Mulvaney attends The 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo byfor Tony Awards Productions) Mike Coppola Credit: Mike Coppola / Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Leslie Odom Jr. (L) attends The 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo byfor Tony Awards Productions) Mike Coppola Credit: Mike Coppola / Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
