The quotes prompted an open letter signed by over 600 artists and creatives, including McDonald, Wendell Pierce, and Courtney Love. Addressed to the
The quotes prompted an open letter signed by over 600 artists and creatives, including McDonald, Wendell Pierce, and Courtney Love. Addressed to the American Theatre Wing and Broadway League, the note called on the groups, which organize the Tony Awards, to ban LuPone and other alleged offenders from the Tonys and other industry events.
“Individuals, including Patti Lupone, who use their platform to publicly demean, harass, or disparage fellow artists—particularly with racial, gendered, or otherwise violent language—should not be welcomed,” the letter reads. “This is about more than one person. It is about a culture. A pattern. A persistent failure to hold people accountable for violent, disrespectful, or harmful behavior—especially when they are powerful or well-known.”
The letter was made public on Friday. On Saturday, LuPone issued an uncharacteristically conciliatory response, also via Instagram. In a elementary white text over a grey box, the post reads, “For as long as I have worked in the theatre, I have spoken my mind and never apologized. That is changing today.”
“I am deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were demeaning and disrespectful,” the statement continues. “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. I hope to have the chance to speak to Audra and Kecia personally to offer my sincere apologies.”
In the statement, LuPone says, “I wholeheartedly agree with everything that was written in the open letter shared yesterday. From middle school drama clubs to professional stages, theatre has always been about lifting each other up and welcoming those who feel they don’t belong anywhere else. I made a mistake, I take full responsibility for it, and I am committed to making this right. Our entire theatre community deserves better.”
Neither Lewis, McDonald, nor the authors of the letter have publicly responded to LuPone’s statement at the time of publication. This year’s Tony Awards are scheduled for June 8, 2025.
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