Ariana DeBose made a joke about her BAFTAS rap during her hosting gig at the Tony Awards on Sunday.
Ariana DeBose kept her opening monologue tame at the 2024 Tony Awards on Sunday, but she packed a punch later on in the night as she joked about her viral BAFTAS rap.
After taking the stage and declaring "this party's for you" to the audience in the crowd and at home, she kept the energy up while introducing the cast and crew from the Best Musical nominee, Hell's Kitchen, which is when she poked fun at her "Angela Bassett did the thing" rap performance at the 2023 BAFTA Awards. The moment became mega-viral on social media and sparked endless memes.
After telling the audience that she had the opportunity to see all of the nominated musicals as the Tony Awards host, she shared that she has been motivated to try her hand at writing a musical as well, receiving a healthy amount of applause at the line.
"Here is the pitch," she began, "It's three hours, no intermission, and it's based on my BAFTA rap."
Earlier in the night, DeBose -- known for her roles in the West Side Story movie and Broadway's Hamilton -- delivered a choreographed song and dance monologue as she hosted the 77th annual Tony Awards at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York.
This is DeBose's third time hosting Broadway's biggest night and the very first shot of the production declared just that, showing a fake news headline for the Broadway Times reading, "SHE'S BACK!! DeBose Returns as 3rd Time Host."
For her 2023 Tony Awards opening monologue, the Oscar winner went unscripted in support of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike with studios during what normally would have been a traditional song-and-dance-filled opening monologue. This year, she addressed wild stories popping up every day in the headlines, while advocating for live theater and art.
"In the most trying of times, art is imperative because art reflects society and provides context for the very real situations that we find ourselves in today," the Wish voice actress shared from the stage while wearing a Bob Mackie gown. "The collective experience can cross boundaries and unite people from all walks of life."
She continued, "Theatre is a safe place for us all."
The Tony Awards recognizes the best in live theater, as shown by its competitive list of nominees.
The 2024 Tony Awards, which will be hosted by Ariana DeBose, is airing live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, June 16, at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+. Check out the complete winners list here.
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