Patti LuPone finally makes a statement on the strain in her relationship with Audra McDonald.
“Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald fallout has once again taken center stage, as LuPone revealed that her once-strong friendship with the fellow Tony winner has come to an end. A new wave of drama—sparked by sharp remarks, subtle emoji reactions, and long-standing tensions—has pulled their fractured relationship back into the Broadway spotlight.”
A Legendary Friendship That’s Now History
In a recent interview with The New Yorker, timed with her appearance on And Just Like That, LuPone was direct: “Audra is not a friend,” she said. While she didn’t spell out the cause, the implication was that the fracture happened long ago. “When asked for her opinion on Audra McDonald’s performance as Rose in the current Gypsy revival—a part LuPone herself was awarded a Tony for in 2008—she chose not to give a straightforward answer.”Instead, she stared out the window for a long pause, then commented, “What a beautiful day.”
McDonald, who already holds six Tony Awards, recently earned her 11th nomination, setting a new record. LuPone, by comparison, has won three. Over the years, the two powerhouses shared the stage in numerous concerts and productions, including a notable 2007 LA Opera performance and the New York Philharmonic’s 2000 staging of Sweeney Todd.
“The Keisha Lewis Controversy That Triggered the Fallout Between Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald”
“The situation escalated when Hell’s Kitchen star Keisha Lewis openly called out LuPone on Instagram.” Lewis posted a video slamming LuPone for allegedly complaining about the volume of the musical, calling her behavior “bullying,” “entitled,” and “racially insensitive.”
LuPone didn’t hold back. “She calls herself a veteran? Let’s take a look at how many Broadway shows she’s actually done—because she clearly doesn’t know what she’s talking about,” LuPone snapped. “She’s done seven. I’ve done 31. Don’t call yourself a veteran, honey.”
However, reporter Michael Schulman pointed out that Lewis has actually appeared in 10 Broadway productions, while LuPone’s count sits at 28. Regardless of the math, the emotional damage was done.
Emoji Gate: When Audra McDonald Entered the Chat
Tensions between Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald deepened after LuPone noticed McDonald had reacted to Lewis’s video with a seemingly supportive emoji. LuPone’s response? “Of course she did,” she said sharply. “I couldn’t help but think, ‘She really ought to know better by now.’ Classic Audra behavior.”
This comment revealed a deep crack beneath the polished showbiz surface. It wasn’t just about an emoji—it was about trust, betrayal, and personal loyalty in an industry where alliances are everything.
A Shifting Stage: Broadway’s Evolution and Racial Context
This new revival of Gypsy marks the first time a Black actress has played the role of Rose on Broadway—an important moment in theater history. LuPone has remained silent on this version, but she’s been vocal about another production she recently loved: Jamie Lloyd’s staging of Sunset Boulevard, starring Nicole Scherzinger.
“I thought it was extraordinary,” she said in a message shared by NY1. “The lighting, the multimedia—it made me question whether I was in a movie or a play. It worked brilliantly. I left the theater energized.”
Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald Fallout: Is This the End of Their Curtain Call?
This Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald fallout is a rare public glimpse into Broadway’s behind-the-scenes friction. For fans, it’s heartbreaking to watch two queens of the stage fall out. For the theater world, it’s a reminder that personal politics are just as dramatic as anything scripted.
As the curtain falls on their friendship, the legacy of these women continues to shape Broadway’s future—just not side by side anymore.
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