Audra McDonald Performs at Tony Awards 2025 After Patti LuPone Drama

Audra McDonald hit the stage of the 2025 Tony Awards to offer the audience a knockout performance.

The actress and singer, 54, appeared at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 8, to perform “Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy. McDonald currently stars as Mama Rose in the Broadway revival of the musical at the Majestic Theatre.

While on the red carpet, McDonald steered clear of mentioning fellow Broadway legend Patti LuPone, whose recent comments in a May 26 New Yorker profile about the two not being that friendly made waves throughout Broadway and beyond.

LuPone, 76, slammed Broadway actress Kecia Lewis in the interview and told interviewer Michael Schulman that McDonald is “not a friend.” Though she didn’t elaborate on the history of their falling out, the Agatha All Along star indicated to the outlet it was a long-ago rift.

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When asked what she thought of McDonald’s current turn as Rose in Gypsy, LuPone — who won a Tony for playing the same role in the 2008 production — reportedly stared in silence for 15 seconds before turning to the window and sighing, “What a beautiful day.”

LuPone apologized for her comments a day after more than 500 members of the Broadway community signed an open letter reprimanding LuPone.

“For as long as I have worked in the theatre, I have spoken my mind and never apologized. That is changing today,” LuPone began her statement. “I am deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were 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 continued. “I hope to have the chance to speak to Audra and Kecia personally to offer my sincere apologies.”

“I wholeheartedly agree with everything that was written in the open letter shared yesterday. From middle school drama clubs to professional stages, theatre has always been about lifting each other up and welcoming those who feel they don’t belong anywhere else,” she concluded. “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 herself addressed LuPone’s comments about their friendship in an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, saying, “If there’s a rift between us, I don’t know what it is,” after King, 70, asked her whether she was “surprised” by LuPone’s comments.

“That’s something you’d have to ask Patti about. 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,” McDonald added in that clip.

LuPone’s mention of an apparent feud between her and McDonald comes as McDonald is nominated at the Tonys for her starring role in the revival of Gypsy. She received her record-making 11th Tony nod for the production, becoming the most-nominated performer of all time. The actress already holds the record for wins, with six Tonys. (LuPone has three.)

See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 78th annual Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and airing now on CBS and Paramount+.