Photo:Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Alex Newellis making history at the 2023Tony Awards.
“I have wanted this my entire life, and I thank each and every one of you in this room right now," theGleealum, 30, said as they accepted the award at New York City’s United Palace Theatre. “And Mommy, I love you. Thank you for believing in me, thank you for loving me unconditionally, thank you for teaching me what strength is.”
“And to anyone that thinks that they can’t do it, I am going to look you dead in your face [and say] that you can do anything you put your mind to,” Newell added as the actor closed their speech.
Newell took home the award for their performance as whiskey distiller Lulu in the original musical from Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. Also nominated in their category were Newell’sShuckedcostar Kevin Cahoon, Justin Cooley (Kimberly Akimbo), Kevin Del Aguila (Some Like It Hot)and Jordan Donica (Camelot).
TheShuckedstar andSome Like It Hotactor J. Harrison Ghee had previously made history in May as thefirst openly nonbinary actors nominatedin the awards’ history.
“When I say I’m an actor, I mean that is my profession, the craft that I studied, the craft that I’m doing,” they said. “Everyone who does acting is an actor. That is genderless."
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“I appreciate that the categories are separate to give cis women, and women in general, an actual fighting chance to win awards in such a male-dominated field,” Newell added at the time. “If we can create that, we can create more lanes for other people who don’t want to stick to those two categories.”
In a joint conversation with Ghee in May, Newell toldTimethey were going into the Tonys ceremony feeling like they “already won… I created a lane for somebody after me to come and do exceptional [work]. I have created space and created conversation and made the ruckus that needs to create active change.”
Bruce Glikas/Getty
The 76th Tony Awards ceremony, is airing live on CBS and Paramount+.
source: people.com
