Nicole Scherzinger stuns at the Tony Awards with a powerful Sunset Blvd. performance, earning a standing ovation and praise from Glenn Close.
Nicole Scherzinger stole the spotlight at the 78th Tony Awards with a powerful performance from Sunset Boulevard, leaving the audience at Radio City Music Hall on their feet.
The former Pussycat Doll turned Broadway star delivered a breathtaking rendition of “As If We Never Said Goodbye,” stepping into the role of Norma Desmond—the iconic faded screen star from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
Wearing a sleek black dress and surrounded by stage smoke, the 46-year-old Tony nominee gave a show-stopping performance that earned a standing ovation. Scherzinger stars in the Jamie Lloyd-directed revival of the show, which has been a critical favorite since its transfer from London’s West End.
Before Scherzinger took the stage, theater legend Glenn Close—who won a Tony for playing Norma in the 1993 Broadway debut—offered a heartfelt introduction. Close, 78, even visited Scherzinger backstage after seeing her perform in April, showing her support for the new production.
The classic ballad, written by Don Black, Christopher Hampton, Amy Powers and Webber, has been famously performed by stars like Barbra Streisand and Chris Colfer. Now, Scherzinger’s soaring version has cemented her place in Broadway history, earning her first-ever Tony nomination following her Olivier Award win in 2023 for the same role in London.
Sunset Blvd. earned seven Tony nominations this year, including one for Scherzinger’s costar Tom Francis, who plays Joe Gillis. Other nominees in the lead musical actress category include Audra McDonald (Gypsy), Jasmine Amy Rogers (Boop! The Musical), and both Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard (Death Becomes Her).
Hosted by Cynthia Erivo, the ceremony also honored new productions like Buena Vista Social Club, Maybe Happy Ending, John Proctor is the Villain, and The Hills of California.
The revival of Sunset Blvd., also featuring David Thaxton and Grace Hodgett Young, will end its run at the St. James Theatre on July 13.
But with glowing praise from legends like Close and Patti LuPone, Nicole Scherzinger’s unforgettable turn as Norma Desmond will surely be remembered long after the curtain falls.
Source PEOPLE
