Nicole Scherzinger Wins First Tony Award for Sunset Boulevard Role
Nicole Scherzinger is officially a Tony Award winner.
The Pussycat Dolls singer turned Broadway powerhouse won Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for her commanding portrayal of Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd. The award was presented during the 78th Annual Tony Awards on June 8, 2025, at Radio City Music Hall.
An Emotional Win for a Longtime Dream
Overcome with emotion, Scherzinger, 46, thanked her family and team in a heartfelt speech that acknowledged her unique background and journey.
“Thank you,” she began through tears, “for making this little Hawaiian Ukrainian Filipino girl’s dream come true.”
She expressed deep gratitude to her mother, who gave birth to her at 18, her father, sister, and extended ohana (family), as well as composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, who trusted her with the iconic role.
From Pop Star to Broadway Icon
Though many first knew her as the frontwoman of the Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger has always had a deep love for musical theater. In interviews, she’s cited Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon as formative influences.
That passion came full circle with her transformation into Norma Desmond, a once-glorious silent film star grappling with loneliness and fading fame. The role struck a personal chord.
“Norma struggled with abandonment, deep loneliness, feeling unseen,” Scherzinger told TIME. “A lot of us feel that way, especially in this industry.”
A Breakout Broadway Moment
Jamie Lloyd’s minimalist, tech-forward Sunset Blvd. revival has been a critical and commercial success. With Scherzinger at the center, the production won Best Revival of a Musical, and has extended its Broadway run through July 20.
Scherzinger’s performance has drawn widespread acclaim. In TIME’s 2025 Most Influential People list, Patti LuPone described it as:
“Courageous, audacious, mesmerizing, elegantly beautiful, and ultimately heartbreaking… Brava, Diva.”
A Message to Dreamers
In closing her acceptance speech, Scherzinger addressed anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong:
“Don’t give up. Just keep on giving and giving, because the world needs your love and your light more than ever now.”
Her words capped off a triumphant night and a milestone moment in her evolving career—from pop sensation to Tony Award-winning actress.
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