Patti LuPone Issues Public Apology After Backlash Over Remarks About Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis
Broadway legend Patti LuPone has issued a rare public apology after comments she made about fellow actors Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis sparked an outcry across the theatre industry.
In a statement released Saturday on social media and through her publicist, LuPone said she was “deeply sorry” for language she used in a recent New Yorker profile that many readers deemed disrespectful and racially insensitive. “For as long as I have worked in the theatre, I have spoken my mind and never apologized,” the three-time Tony Award winner wrote. “That is changing today. I am devastated that my behavior has offended others.”
The remarks that ignited the controversy
During the New Yorker interview, LuPone questioned Lewis’s standing as a Broadway veteran and referred to her with an expletive, while also dismissing McDonald—Broadway’s most decorated performer—as “not a friend.” The published comments triggered swift backlash. Within 48 hours, more than 500 performers, producers and backstage professionals signed an open letter condemning LuPone’s words as “inappropriate, unacceptable, and indicative of racialized disrespect.”
Lewis previously alleged that she experienced “racial microaggressions” from LuPone last season when the two were appearing in separate productions in adjacent theatres. In a social-media video shared earlier this year, Lewis claimed LuPone had complained about sound levels in Lewis’s show and later sent flowers only to the backstage staff—an incident Lewis interpreted as dismissive toward the cast. McDonald reacted to that video with supportive emojis, a gesture LuPone cited in the New Yorker piece while expressing longstanding grievances.
A community’s response
The open letter, organized by a coalition of actors, stage managers and designers, accused LuPone of “bullying and harassment” and urged her to apologise. Signatories included Tony winners, emerging artists and members of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition. “Theatre is built on ensemble values: mutual respect, collaboration and inclusion,” the letter read. “We reject language that demeans colleagues and reinforces systemic biases.”
Although LuPone’s statement did not directly address accusations of racism, she acknowledged that her remarks ran “counter to what we hold dear in this community.” She added: “I made a mistake, I take full responsibility for it, and I am committed to making this right. Our entire theatre community deserves better.”
Next steps
Representatives for McDonald and Lewis have not publicly responded to LuPone’s apology. Neither actor has commented on whether they will meet with LuPone, who said she hopes to apologise to them personally.
Industry observers say the incident has reignited conversations about power dynamics and racial equity on Broadway. While LuPone enjoys a storied career that includes iconic turns in Evita and Gypsy, critics argue that her candid persona can overshadow broader efforts to foster a more inclusive environment.
Producers and unions have not indicated whether any professional repercussions will follow. For now, the apology appears aimed at mending personal relationships and calming a community known for both its tight-knit support and swift accountability.
As the new Broadway season ramps up, many in the industry will be watching to see whether LuPone’s outreach leads to reconciliation—and whether the episode prompts deeper reflection on how theatre’s biggest names wield their influence.
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