Broadway’s biggest night lit up Radio City Music Hall on June 8 — and the acceptance speeches? Pure gold. From emotional shoutouts to laugh-out-loud moments, this year’s winners made sure their words were as memorable as their performances.
The 78th Annual Tony Awards were broadcast live on CBS and streamed via Paramount+ (for subscribers with the Showtime add-on). The vibe? Electric. The speeches? Even better. Let’s dive into the best moments from the night — and yes, we’ll keep updating this as more speeches drop!
From Standing Ovations to Tears: Winners Share Their Big Moments
This year’s Tonys were full of powerful wins — and even more powerful words. Here are some of the highlights:
Nicole Scherzinger took home Best Lead Actress in a Musical for Sunset Blvd.’
Nicole Scherzinger just made Broadway history. The pop icon won the 2025 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her powerhouse performance as Norma Desmond in “Sunset Blvd”.
In a tearful acceptance speech, Scherzinger moved the crowd with a heartfelt message:
“Don’t give up, just keep on giving and giving, because the world needs your love and your light now more than ever.”
Watch the speech:
Darren Criss earned Best Lead Actor in a Musical for ‘Maybe Happy Ending‘
Criss delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, showing love to his co-star and the people closest to him. Criss opened his speech by praising his “Maybe Happy Ending” co-star—“Helen J. Shen, I’m so proud of you and your Broadway debut for the books. This is where you belong.” He continued by thanking the show’s crew and his fellow teachers.
GETTYCriss then turned his attention to his wife, Mia, sharing a deeply emotional tribute: “Also my wife Mia, who took a massive swing on allowing me to do this and to allow this crazy upheaval in our life, to make this logistically possible and for bearing the brunt of raising two tiny friends under three so that I could raise a singing robot at the Belasco Theater eight times a week. Mia, you are the very pedestal that upholds the shiny spinny bit in our lives and your love and your support for me and our beautiful children combined with the miracle of working on something as magical as Maybe Happy Ending has been and will always be award enough.”
Watch the speech:
Sarah Snook delivered a one-woman masterclass in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, winning Lead Actress in a Play
“Succession” alum Sarah Snook began her speech by describing the Tony Awards audience as an “intimidating room of incredibly talented people.”
She added, “This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway. [The Picture of Dorian Gray] is billed as a one-person show, and I don’t feel alone any night that I do this show. There are so many people on stage making it work and behind the stage making it work.” Snook thanked her director, Williams, whom she deemed “incredible,” before thanking her husband, comedian Dave Lawson. “An exceptional thank you to my husband, my soulmate. You are so brilliant, holding the fort down and keeping our family together.” Snook and Lawson became parents in 2023, welcoming their first child together.
Watch the speech:
“Maybe Happy Ending” snagged the crown for Best Musical
“Maybe Happy Ending” lived up to its name with a big win at the 2025 Tony Awards, taking home Best New Musical on Sunday night. The romantic comedy about two retired androids discovering love and loneliness struck a deeply human chord — and walked away with six Tony wins, the most of the night.
The show, starring Darren Criss and Helen J. Shen, explores the relationship between two decommissioned robots as they navigate connection and time, delivering a heartfelt reflection on what it means to be human. The night also made history: Kara Young became the first Black artist to win two Tonys back-to-back, honored for her performance in Purpose, which was awarded Best New Play.
Watch the speech here:
“Purpose” won Best Play
‘Eureka Day’ was honored with Best Revival of a Play
The acceptance speeches ranged from joyful and funny to deeply emotional — Broadway at its best.
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Broadway’s Big Night: Best Acceptance Speeches From the 2025 Tonys