Ariana DeBose, the beloved star of Broadway and recent Oscar winner, will be hosting the 75th Tony Awards.
A Broadway favorite, DeBose, the host of the 2022 Tony Awards, was thrilled to announce her return. She was nominated for a Tony Award for her outstanding performance as Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Prior to that, DeBose played Jane in A Bronx Tale and was part of the original cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton as the Bullet.
Not Just Another Anita
Her success in movies comes from her musical theater background. In a groundbreaking and momentous feat, she has earned the distinction of being the foremost openly queer woman of color to secure the coveted Best Supporting Actress award for her exceptional portrayal in the critically acclaimed Stephen Spielberg’s West Side Story. DeBose was inspired by Rita Moreno’s iconic portrayal in the 1961 original film and honored her legacy as the first Latina to win an Oscar. In a New York Times interview, Moreno praises DeBose’s special star quality.
“What I said was, be your own Anita. Not knowing her well at the time, I didn’t realize that she could only be her own Anita.”
Ariana DeBose is the quintessential triple threat: actor, singer, dancer. On top of being extremely talented at those three disciplines, she has that “it” factor, a je-ne-sais-quois about her. Her skill got her to the stage. Her charisma, however, is what makes her a perfect candidate to host the Tony Awards.
Host History
Her hosting comes after a long line of actors at the top of their game who did the same. The broadcasting of the Tony Awards is on live television. Therefore, the American Theatre Wing needs a star host to garner viewership. Every musical theater kid across America will have their eyes glued to the screen no matter who’s hosting, but it takes a star to get the public to tune in. Neil Patrick Harris is a hosting veteran. James Corden, Leslie Odom Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Hugh Jackman, Audra McDonald, and Rosie O’Donnell are just a few of the superstars to lead this annual, fabulously flamboyant celebration of the American Theater.
On deck: The Ariana DeBose.
