Alex Newell, J. Harrison Ghee Become 1st Nonbinary Actors to Win a Tony Award
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty
The 2023 Tony Awards was a night to remember as history was made!
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Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee became the first two openly nonbinary performers to win Tony Awards last night. Newell won the Tony Award for best performance in a featured role in a musical for their role as Lulu in the 2022 musical comedy “Shucked”.
Ghee won the Tony Award for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical for their role as Jerry/Daphne in the remake of the a musical based on the 1959 film starring Marilyn Monroe, “Some Like It Hot”.
Newell gave an incredible acceptance speech, asking broadway to do just that, accept them.
Source: Bruce Glikas / Getty
“Thank you for seeing me, Broadway.” Newell said. “I should not be up here, as a queer, non-binary, fat, Black little baby from Massachusetts. To anyone who thinks they can’t do it… you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Alex Newell makes history as the first out non-binary performer to win a Tony:
“Thank you for seeing me, Broadway. I should not be up here, as a queer, non-binary, fat, Black little baby from Massachusetts. To anyone who thinks they can’t do it… you can do anything you put your… pic.twitter.com/ZINfdCFMPJ
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 12, 2023
Ghee also had a heartfelt acceptance speech. Articulating to the crowd that their mom’s nursing was a pivotal piece for them to understand how to live, love, and learn that their gifts were to be used to advance others in their coming of age.
Source: Sean Zanni / Getty
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“My mother raised me to understand that my gifts that God gave me were not about me. To use them to be effective in the world, to help somebody else’s journey,” Ghee said during their acceptance speech. “So thank you for teaching me how to live, how to love, how to give. For every trans, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming human who ever was told you couldn’t be, you couldn’t be seen, this is for you.”
J. Harrison Ghee becomes the second openly nonbinary actor to win at the #TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/9DJ0D63Yrs
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 12, 2023
The 76th Annual Tony Awards was held at the United Palace theater in New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood, hosted by Ariana DeBose. For full list of award winners [CLICK HERE]
CHECK OUT REACTIONS FROM A HISTORIC 76th ANNUAL TONY AWARDS
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1. Reactions from social media on Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee
Congratulations Alex Newell who became the first nonbinary performer to win best actor in a featured role in a musical for ‘Shucked’
Newell and J. Harrison Ghee both made history as the first openly nonbinary performers to win Tony Awards at the 76th annual show. pic.twitter.com/jjY1fXCdUU
— Blex (@blex_media) June 12, 2023
2. Reactions from social media on Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee
Hey, remember when Alex Newell and Ali Stroker were both finalists on the Glee Project but didn’t win, and now they both have Tonys?
— Anika Chapin (@AnikaChapin) June 12, 2023
3. Reactions from social media on Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee
Alex Newell has come a long way since ‘The Glee Project’. ‘Glee’ in general had so much negativity surrounding it, so it’s great to see someone from there who is still thriving. When you’re unproblematic, mind your business & work on your craft, you win. #TonyAwards #Tonys2023 pic.twitter.com/X5bScktQKO
— Sha Hartley (@shahartley) June 12, 2023
4. Reactions from social media on Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee
Congratulations J Harrison Ghee !! #somelikeithot and that ain’t bad!!! @TheTonyAwards
— sheryl lee ralph (@thesherylralph) June 12, 2023
5. Reactions from social media on Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee
Seeing Alex Newell win a Tony in Lea Michelle’s literal face is one of the greatest joys of my life.
— Heather Hogan (@theheatherhogan) June 12, 2023
6. Reactions from social media on Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee
alex newell winning a tony in front of lea michele (who is sitting in the audience, tonyless) pic.twitter.com/pD13ZMN5o8
— ★ (@motivatefenty) June 12, 2023
7. Reactions from social media on Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee
fucked up that alex newell had to win a men’s category in order for them to win a tony but #whatever
— max nation supreme leader (@mlmferdinand) June 12, 2023
8. Reactions from social media on Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee
TONY AWARD WINNER ALEX NEWELL
— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) June 12, 2023
9. Reactions from social media on Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee
For all the haters! Lea michele. Alex Newell! Icons
pic.twitter.com/T7sT8pCyqx
— R (@islandreader25) June 12, 2023
10. Reactions from social media on Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee
let’s hear it for the glee cast members with tony awards!
jenna ushkowitz and alex newell you will ALWAYS be famous! #TonyAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/E1UB3alQ8w
— alexa! (@mchaleshndez) June 12, 2023
The post Alex Newell, J. Harrison Ghee Become 1st Nonbinary Actors to Win a Tony Award appeared first on Black America Web.
