Oprah’s got jokes. Oprah Winfrey took the stage at the 2025 Tony Awards on Sunday and appeared to shade Patti LuPone for her drama with Audra McDonald. As she presented the award for Best ...

Oprah Winfrey seemingly shades Patti LuPone over Audra McDonald controversy at the 2025 Tony Awards By . Eric Todisco. Published June 9, 2025, 8:06 a.m. ET. Oprah’s got jokes.

James Monroe Iglehart, Brooke Shields, and other Broadway stars address Patti LuPone New Yorker interview controversy at the Tony Awards.

During a subsequent appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, McDonald was asked by Gayle King about her thoughts on LuPone's comments. "If there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is," McDonald said.

Oprah Winfrey sparked speculation that she threw shade at Patti Lupone—whose recent comments about Audra McDonald raised eyebrows—while presenting at the 2025 Tony Awards.

I mentioned that Audra McDonald—the Tony-decorated Broadway star—had given the video supportive emojis. “Exactly,” LuPone said. “And I thought, You should know better .

Representatives for McDonald and Lewis did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment. In the New Yorker interview, LuPone referred to Lewis as a "bitch" and questioned her status as a ...

The Comments . The controversy stems from a sound bleed issue between LuPone's production of The Roommate with Mia Farrow and the neighboring theater hosting the Alicia Keys musical Hell's Kitchen ...