Nicole Scherzinger Takes Home 2025 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress

Nicole Scherzinger captured the 2025 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, showcasing her talent as Norma Desmond in the acclaimed production of "Sunset Blvd."

In an emotional acceptance speech, she urged, "Don't give up, just keep on giving and giving, because the world needs your love and your light now more than ever."

With her Broadway debut, the pop sensation has dazzled audiences, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Reflecting on her journey, Scherzinger shared with a local news anchor, "I'm very blessed. I'm blessed, because my prayers have been answered. I feel like I'm living that dream right now with this remarkable, life-changing opportunity."

Prior to this role, she enjoyed success in various musical groups but felt something was missing. "I'm so grateful for my time with all my groups. I was in a rock group called Days of the New, I was in a pop group called Eden's Crush, and then my group The Pussycat Dolls, that whole whirlwind. I'm so proud of the music that we created and the work that we did touring around the world," she explained.

Her passion for theater runs deep; she attended a youth performing arts high school. "A lot of people don't realize I grew up a lover of theater and musical theater and I went to a youth performing arts high school. So this was my safe space that I found my kind, as I call it, where I felt like I belonged," she added.

As Norma Desmond, Scherzinger embodies an actress grappling with the realities of fading fame. "One of the biggest connections, I think, is something that goes through my mind quite often when I'm on stage as Norma is saying, 'Where did the time go?'" she remarked. "You wake up and you're 46, and you're not 26 anymore. Having to deal with feeling discarded and disposable."

Unexpectedly stepping into Broadway, she expressed gratitude for the theater community's warm embrace. "I feel like there's no competition. There's just room for everyone and to celebrate everyone, and it's so inclusive and it is so beautiful. And I feel like the people in this community, they champion you and lift you up, and I've never experienced a love like that before," Scherzinger stated.

This rendition of "Sunset Blvd" offers a fresh perspective. Unlike its original 1994 production or the 1997 revival featuring Glenn Close, Scherzinger performs barefoot in a simple black slip dress.

"That's why working with Jamie Lloyd is such a dream for me, because what Jamie does and the brilliance about him is that he puts no boundaries on you. And even though it seems so empty, the stage with no distractions, it's that much fuller," she explained.

The production garnered seven Tony nominations, including Best Director of a Musical for Lloyd. It won top honors for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Lighting Design.

When asked about her future plans, Scherzinger replied with enthusiasm, "8 p.m. tonight is what's next." She emphasized the importance of living in the moment: "It's important for me to make every performance like it's my opening night and my closing night. This role has changed my life."

Looking ahead, she is excited about her upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall in October and has wedding plans on the horizon.

Kristine Johnson co-anchors the evening news at a major New York City station and has received multiple Emmy awards since joining in 2006.