Broadway icon Patti LuPone did not attend the 2025 Tony Awards on Sunday—a conspicuous absence given recent controversy. The three-time Tony winner, who was not nominated for an award this year, attracted fierce backlash after she criticized fellow Broadway actors in a New Yorker profile last month.

Oprah Winfrey appeared to reference controversial comments about Broadway performers during her Tony Awards presentation, sparking audience reactions.

LuPone, 76, went viral last month for making nasty comments about fellow actress Audra McDonald before apologizing for her “bullying” behavior.