Ariana DeBose Kicks Off 2022 Tony Awards With Show-Stopping Broadway Mashup

West Side Story star Ariana DeBose launched the 75th Tony Awards in style with a breathtaking mashup performance featuring tunes from classic Tony-winning musicals, including Phantom of the Opera, Cabaret, Hair and Company.

The former Tony nominee opened the ceremony at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday night with an energetic performance, giving a round of applause to everyone on Broadway.

DeBose donned a stunning, all-white ensemble inspired by Michael Jackson, the subject of MJ: The Musical, which received 10 nominations heading into the evening.

Lets just say, for many of you its been a rollercoaster, DeBose remarked in her opening monologue, noting how the coronavirus pandemic has upended the theater industry over the past two years.

Now THAT is how you kick off the #TonyAwards! We give our round of applause right back to @ArianaDeBose. pic.twitter.com/fybuEJ0agQ

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Now THAT is how you kick off the #TonyAwards ! We give our round of applause right back to @ArianaDeBose . pic.twitter.com/fybuEJ0agQ
CBS (@CBS) June 13, 2022

I am so proud that the theater is becoming more reflective of the community who adores it, and in doing so, has gained new performers, new creatives, new fans, she continued. It has shown us stories that have broadened our world and opened our hearts and our minds.

And while we have not solved all of our problems, I feel like the phrase Great White Way is becoming more of a nickname as opposed to a how-to guide.

Earlier this week, DeBose, who recently became the first openly queer woman of color to win an Academy Award for her work as Anita in Steven Spielbergs West Side Story remake, took to Instagram to share her excitement leading up to her hosting debut.

Ran into these two at rehearsal today. Theyre cookin up something good for the @thetonyawards pre-show, she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo with Tony Awards pre-show hosts Darren Criss and Julianne Hough.

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