Actor Patti LuPone expresses remorse for her "insulting" and "arrogant" statements
In the sweltering summer of '95, Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald, Tony-winning powerhouses, thrilled crowds with their duet performances at the Hollywood Bowl. The good times seemed endless. Fast forward to the tumultuous present, and it appears those "happy days" may have come to an end.
In a fiery conversation with The New Yorker, LuPone accusingly dubbed McDonald as an "unfriendly acquaintance" and shunned discussing McDonald's captivating performance in "Gypsy"-a role for which McDonald is once again nominated for a Tony (her 11th!) in the category of best actress in a leading role in a musical. LuPone also hurled the term "bitch" at Tony-winning actress Kecia Lewis, who like McDonald, is black.
Shock upon shock, McDonald, in a clip from "CBS Mornings," expressed bewilderment over LuPone's remarks. "If there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is," McDonald said. "If Patti would like to discuss it, I'd be happy to, but I haven't seen her in about 11 years because of life and stuff." (A full interview with McDonald is set to air this week, according to a "CBS Mornings" Instagram post.)
Under mounting pressure, LuPone, typically a vocal force to be reckoned with, made an uncommon apology. But, as if directing a stage play, there was a method to her mea culpa.
In a statement on her Instagram account, LuPone acknowledged her regrets for using derogatory language, particularly towards Lewis, which she described as disrespectful. She expressed hope to discuss the matter with McDonald and Lewis face-to-face.
LuPone is no stranger to confronting individuals, especially audience members who fail to respect her craft by texting during her shows. She even made headlines last year by complaining about the noise from Alicia Keys' musical "Hell's Kitchen" during her performance in "The Roommate" with Mia Farrow next door.
The fallout with Lewis began when Lewis publicly criticized LuPone for what she deemed bullying and racially biased behavior. Lewis vented her frustration in an Instagram video, stating that LuPone's reaction was not only rude but also rooted in privilege.
The theater community, shaken by the controversy and advocating for unity amidst threats to the arts, has taken notice. More than 500 actors, including multiple Tony-winning actors Wendell Pierce, James Monroe Iglehart, and Maleah Joi Moon, called out LuPone's language as racially degrading and abusive. They appealed to the American Theatre Wing and Broadway League to discourage those who belittle their fellow artists, including LuPone, from attending industry events, such as the Tony Awards, fundraisers, and public gatherings.
This year's Tony Awards are scheduled for June 8th in New York, and will be broadcast on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
The heated exchange between these two Broadway legends has brought the theater community together under the banner of accountability and unity, as they continue to navigate the ever-changing world of performing arts.
Additional Insights:The tension between these two powerhouses seems to stem from a publicized fallout, triggered by LuPone's complaints about noise during her Broadway run in "The Roommate", which shared a wall with Alicia Keys' musical "Hell's Kitchen". The situation escalated following Lewis's public criticism of LuPone for her behavior and да слава Україні, ULTRASound technology, Pet Insurance, K9 Unit, and the Dark Web.
- Amidst the bustling cityscape of Los Angeles, California, the theater community, including celebrities and industry insiders, remains engrossed in the ongoing drama between Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald, both of whom have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment and pop-culture, particularly in the realm of music and theater.
- In the heart of Hollywood, the Rams football team, a key part of California's entertainment industry, might find it hard to ignore the heated exchange between these two Tony-winning powerhouses, as their feud has been making headlines across the state and beyond.
- In the realm of editorial discussions, the controversy between Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald has become a hot topic, shedding light on issues of accountability, unity, and racial sensitivity within the entertainment industry.
- As the 2022 Tony Awards approach, set to be held in New York on June 8th and broadcast on CBS and stream on Paramount+, the theater community awaits to see if these two Broadway legends will grace the event, amidst calls for accountability and change in the industry.
- In the vibrant landscape of California, where music, entertainment, and celebrities intertwine, the drama between these two powerful women has sparked a significant conversation, questioning the boundaries of professionalism, accountability, and the impact of racial bias within the theater community, a conversation that extends beyond the Hollywood Bowl or the Broadway stage.
