Patti Lupone apologized to colleagues actors from Broadway Kecia Lewis and Audra McDonald During the weekend, after her previous comments on the two Drew women heated backlash of the theatrical community.
Tony Award’s triple winner shared a statement on its social media platforms Saturday in which she said that she was “deeply sorry” for the words “degrading and disrespectful” she had used, especially for Lewis, In a controversial interview with The New Yorker Posted last week.
“I regret my casual and emotional answers during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior offended others and took against what we are dear in this community,” she wrote. “I hope to have the chance to speak personally to Audra and Kecia to offer my sincere excuses.”
Lupone’s apology came one day After the release of an open letter Addressed to the American Theater Wing and the Broadway League calling for the disinvitation of the actor “Agatha” to take place this year’s Tony Awards, which would take place on June 8, on what the authors described as “a blatant act of racialized lack of respect” towards Lewis and McDonald, who are black.
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The letter had been signed by more than 600 members of the Broadway community, including winning actors from Tony James Monroe Iglehart and Maleah joi moon.
In His declarationLupone said that she agreed with the content of the letter, noting: “Theater clubs from the college at the professional stages, the theater has always been to get up and welcome those who feel that they are nowhere else.”
“I made a mistake, I assume the full responsibility, and I agree to do this correctly,” she added. “Our whole theater community deserves better.”
Lupone’s interview with The New Yorker had been intended to promote his next appearance in the series of renewals “Sex and the City”, “and just like that …”, who made his debut on Thursday.
In the cat, Lupone was requested Approximately one incident in 2024 In which she had complained of the sound signals of the musical of Alicia Keys “Hell’s Kitchen” being audible in a neighboring theater which housed “The Roommate”, her most recent play. About the same time, a video in which Lupone exploded “Hell’s Kitchen”, which presents a black predominance cast, to be “too strong” went viral on Tiktok.
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Lewis, who won a Tony last year for his performance in “Hell’s Kitchen”, criticized Lupone’s actions at the time, calling them “racily microggressive” and “rooted in the privilege” In a long Instagram video that McDonald responded with support emojis.
When the New Yorker questioned Lupone on the debacle, she considered in Lewis a “dog” and suggested to the actor – who appeared in “Dreamgirls” and “Once on this island”, among other musicals – was not allowed to be called a “veteran” from Broadway.
She offered a similar reprimand when he asked her questions about McDonald’s support for video. “It’s typical of Audra. She is not a friend,” she said, while referring to a “Rift of the Year.”
In a teaser for his appearance On “CBS Mornings” To promote its nominated performance in Tony in “Gypsy”, McDonald suggested that all kinds of Rift Lupone felt unilateral.
“I haven’t seen her for about 11 years just because we were busy, just with life and all that”, ” She said in the interviewSettled in full next week. “So I don’t know what she is talking about, but it should be asked.
