So yes, I’m glad she apologized. And her statement, posted Saturday night, did say the right things. She called her words “demeaning and disrespectful,” and said she was “deeply sorry.” But let’s not pretend this was voluntary. The apology came only after a massive backlash, only after Black artists and allies came together to publicly demand accountability. It came after days of public shaming, not from some inner realization or moment of growth. That matters.
What also matters is who responded with grace. Audra McDonald, for instance, who simply said she hadn’t spoken to LuPone in years and was confused by the whole thing. Classy, dignified, and clear. Kecia Lewis, for her part, hasn’t said a word, and she shouldn’t have to. She’s earned her seat at the table a hundred times over. She doesn’t need to justify her presence to Patti LuPone or anyone else.
This whole mess is a reminder that words carry weight. It doesn’t matter how many Tonys you have. If you disrespect your peers, especially those who’ve had to fight twice as hard to get through the door, you should be held accountable. Period.
Let’s hope this moment leads to more reflection, more listening, and fewer careless comments that diminish the contributions of Black artists. Because the theater we want, the one we claim to love, is bigger than one person’s ego. And it always will be.
