Broadway Belongs to Nicole

Nicole Scherzinger just took home her very first Tony Award, and it was a moment packed with emotion, gratitude — and a little Broadway grit.

The former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman won Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her powerhouse performance as Norma Desmond in the Sunset Boulevard revival, directed by Jamie Lloyd. The production also scored Best Revival of a Musical, capping off a major night for the entire team.

Scherzinger, 46, took the stage in tears, visibly overwhelmed as she thanked those closest to her — including her mother, who had her at 18, her fiancé Thom Evans, her sister, and what she affectionately called her “ohana,” or extended family.

She didn’t shy away from how demanding Broadway can be, joking, “This schedule is no joke,” while also giving a nod to her co-star Tom Francis: “Thank you for letting me sever your head every single night.” But beyond the laughs, there were moments of deep vulnerability — especially when she turned to the show’s visionary director:

“You saw me when no one else did,” Scherzinger said to Jamie Lloyd. “You’ve given us all new ways to dream, and you’ve changed my life forever.”

The crowd at Radio City Music Hall erupted with applause as Scherzinger spoke about belonging — something she admitted she struggled with in the past. Her words landed like a message to anyone who’s ever felt out of place: keep going, keep giving, and trust that your moment will come.

Nicole's win didn’t come out of nowhere. She already made waves with the same role in London, where she won the Olivier Award in 2024. But the Tony marks her official arrival on Broadway’s biggest stage — and a turning point in a career that’s spanned pop stardom, reality TV, and now, critical acclaim in musical theatre.

With raw emotion, powerhouse vocals, and a performance that redefined a classic role, Scherzinger didn’t just win a Tony — she owned the night.