Patti LuPone Issues Career-First Apology for 'Demeaning and Disrespectful' Words That Inspired Broadway Backlash

Published: May 31, 2025

Patti LuPone has apologized for her incendiary remarks about fellow Broadway stars Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis.

One day after more than 500 members of the Broadway community signed an open letter reprimanding LuPone for her recent comments directed at McDonald and Lewis in a May 26 New Yorker profile, LuPone issued her apology on Instagram on May 31.

"For as long as I have worked in the theatre, I have spoken my mind and never apologized. That is changing today," LuPone began her statement. "I am deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were demeaning and disrespectful."

'I regret my flippant and emotional responses during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior has offended others and has run counter to what we hold dear in this community," she continued. "I hope to have the chance to speak to Audra and Kecia personally."

LuPone also expressed her agreement with the open letter, stating that she made a mistake and is committed to making it right. "Our entire theatre community deserves better," she concluded.

The open letter, which was addressed to the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League and "the greater theatre community" on May 30, described LuPone's comments as "a blatant act of racialized disrespect" that "constitutes bullying" and harassment and called on the groups to disinvite LuPone from the Tony Awards on June 8 and take on further efforts to "[establish] a broader standard of accountability moving forward."

Meanwhile, McDonald addressed LuPone's comments about their friendship in an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings set to air Tuesday, June 3. "If there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is," McDonald said, adding that she hasn't seen LuPone in about 11 years due to their busy schedules.

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LuPone's mention of an apparent feud between her and McDonald comes as McDonald is nominated at the upcoming Tonys for her starring role in a revival of Gypsy. When LuPone was asked by The New Yorker what she thought of McDonald's Gypsy performance, the performer — who won a Tony for playing the same role in the 2008 production — reportedly stared in silence for 15 seconds before turning to the window and sighing, "What a beautiful day."

McDonald received her record-making 11th Tony nomination for Gypsy, becoming the most nominated performer of all time. The actress already holds the record for wins, with six Tonys. LuPone has three.

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The topic of their friendship came up in the New Yorker piece when LuPone was asked about a public conflict she held with Lewis in fall 2024; the Hell's Kitchen star had posted a video to Instagram criticizing LuPone for calling the Alicia Keys musical "too loud" — remarks that Lewis dubbed "bullying," "offensive," "racially microaggressive," "rude" and "rooted in privilege."