The Tony Awards Sunday night left a memorable stamp during Pride month.
“Shucked” actor Alex Newell and “Some Like It Hot” actor J. Harrison Ghee had history-making wins as the first nonbinary stars to take home awards during the biggest night in Broadway. Newell took home best featured actor in a musical and Ghee earned best actor in a musical.
On a night that featured an unexpectedly show-stopping performance from Ariana DeBose and an inspiring speech by “Kimberly Akimbo” star Bonnie Milligan, Newell and Ghee’s wins shone brightly throughout the LGBTQ community.
Read on for more about the barrier-breaking stars and their emotional winning speeches.
Alex Newell wins best featured actor in a musical
Long-term theater kids will know Newell, who uses he/she/they pronouns, from their time playing Unique in Ryan Murphy’s hit TV show “Glee.” The actor was the first transgender character on the show, and their storyline was meaningful to many queer and trans fans.
Newell, the “independently owned” showstopper of corn comedy “Shucked,” tearfully picked up the trophy for best featured actor in a musical. The actor thanked their mom for “teaching me what strength is,” while also expressing gratitude for the Broadway community.
“Thank you for seeing me, Broadway. I should not be up here as a queer, nonbinary, fat, Black, little baby from Massachusetts,” they concluded. “And to anyone that thinks that they can’t do it, I’m going to look you dead in your face and tell you that you can do anything you put your mind to.”
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J. Harrison Ghee wins best actor in a musical
Ghee took the stage to accept best actor in a musical for “Some Like It Hot,” playing a jazz musician coming into their gender identity.
Ghee, who uses he/they pronouns, became the second openly nonbinary performer in Tony history to win an acting award, after Newell earlier in the night. “For every trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming human − whoever was told they couldn’t be, couldn’t be seen, this is for you,” Ghee said.
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Speaking to reporters in the media room, Ghee elaborated on their own coming-out journey, saying it’s wonderful to “break labels and limits and boundaries for myself, first and foremost, and to hopefully be that inspiration for others.”
Ghee began their career under the drag persona Crystal Demure. They eventually made their Broadway debut as Lola in “Kinky Boots.” They have also starred in “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Chicago” on Broadway. In addition to their work in theater, Ghee has dabbled in television with appearances in “Raising Dion,” “Accused” and more.
