Make no mistake…
Patti LuPone is one of Broadway’s most celebrated divas, and her list of accomplishments is remarkable and some would argue even enviable. However?
Her legendary status has been marred by decades of controversies, public feuds, and accusations of diva behavior. From clashing with Hollywood stars to alienating fans and colleagues, LuPone’s sharp tongue and unapologetic demeanor have made her as infamous as she is iconic. Now, after throwing another Broadway legend, Audra McDonald, under the bus publicly, Patti is about to find out from her peers just how vitriolic her actions have become.
Broadway performers and theater professionals are demanding that Tony Awards producers rescind Patti LuPone’s invitation following her controversial comments about Audra McDonald and Hell’s Kitchen star Kecia Lewis in a New Yorker interview. An open letter calling for her removal has garnered over 500 signatures, including Tony winners James Monroe Iglehart, J. Harrison Ghee, and Maleah Joi Moon, as well as stage and screen veterans Ephraim Sykes, Wendell Pierce, and Jaquel Spivey. Even Courtney Love has added her name to the petition, signaling widespread frustration with LuPone’s remarks and a growing industry pushback against her long history of divisive behavior. LuPone’s history of microaggressions, racial insensitivity, and self-centered outbursts may have finally gotten her dragged into a ditch she may not be able to crawl her way out of so easily this time.
For those that have no clue as to why #PettiLuPone is being raked over the coals by a growing collective, here are some of the actress’ most well-known squabbles over the course of her career.
1. The Madonna War: “She Can’t Sing, She Can’t Act…”
In what can only be billed as ‘The Queen of Broadway vs. The Queen of Pop’, Patti went for Madge’s jugular nearly thirty years ago when the latter dared to pick up the baton for a role that was previously Patti’s. LuPone originated the role of Eva Perón in Evita on Broadway, but when Madonna was cast in the 1996 film adaptation, LuPone didn’t hold back. She famously raged: “She can’t sing, she can’t act—what does she do? She stands there and she’s brave.” LuPone later softened slightly, admitting Madonna was “miscast” but still harboring resentment over not being offered the film role herself. For her part, Madonna snagged a Golden Globe for her efforts in what is considered her best performance on the silver screen.
2. The “Gypsy” Cellphone Incident
No one puts Patti in a corner! Especially when she’s literally in the middle of a show-stopping performance. In 2015, LuPone stopped mid-performance in Shows for Days to snatch a phone from an audience member texting. While some applauded her, others saw it as an over-the-top power move. This wasn’t her first phone-related outburst—she once yelled, “Stop texting or I’ll kill you!” during War Paint. And something about Ms. LuPone has convinced many that she just might be the type to place a hit on someone if truly contested!
3. Feud with Andrew Lloyd Webber
Arguably one of the longest running feuds on Broadway, LuPone has long trashed the composer, calling Sunset Boulevard a “piece of s—” and claiming he “betrayed” her by replacing her with Glenn Close in the Broadway production. She later said: “Andrew Lloyd Webber is a f—ing idiot.” Patti doesn’t like to be replaced, but did she dare drag the legendary (and oh so white) Glenn Close during this ordeal? Patti knows when to cue the brakes, because she kept Glenn’s name out her mouth during this fiasco.
4. Beefing with Other Broadway Stars
Patti LuPone’s reputation for backstage drama extends to her relationships with fellow performers. During War Paint, rumors swirled about tensions between LuPone and co-star Christine Ebersole, though neither has publicly detailed the nature of their rift. She also allegedly made dismissive remarks about Laura Benanti’s performance in Gypsy, further fueling her image as a sharp-tongued critic of her peers. More recently, during the 2022 revival of Company, LuPone made headlines when she abruptly stormed off-stage mid-performance, halting the show after becoming “triggered” by a crew member’s failure to comply with COVID mask protocols—an incident that forced an unplanned intermission and left audiences divided over whether her reaction was justified or simply another diva moment.
Why 500+ Want Her Banned From the Tonys
The recent petition calling for Patti LuPone’s exclusion from the Tony Awards points to her long-standing pattern of microaggressions and unwillingness to address racial insensitivity. Critics argue that she has repeatedly dismissed the experiences of Black performers, most notably when she brushed aside discussions of racial equity in theater by declaring, “I don’t want to hear about your suffering—I’ve suffered too.”
Oh, the caucasity!
Her tendency to center herself in conversations about Broadway’s diversity issues has drawn comparisons to an #AllLivesMatter mentality, as she often downplays systemic barriers faced by BIPOC artists. Even her seemingly progressive actions—such as walking away from Company over COVID safety concerns—are viewed by detractors as self-serving, reinforcing the perception that she only takes a stand when she is personally affected. This pattern of behavior, aka ‘Withered White Woman Syndrome’, has led many to question whether her legacy as a Broadway icon is overshadowed by her refusal to evolve with the industry’s push for inclusiveness.
A Diva Who Won’t Change
Patti LuPone may have finally crossed an unforgivable line in her latest feud with Audra McDonald—Broadway’s most decorated (and universally adored) star, who also happens to be Black. While McDonald has gracefully taken the high road, LuPone’s relentless diva antics—whether snide remarks, dismissive behavior, or outright microaggressions—have exposed a deeper frustration within the theater community. The surge of support for McDonald (and against LuPone) suggests that Broadway, after decades of silently enduring LuPone’s ego-driven theatrics, has officially reached its breaking point. This isn’t just about a petty rivalry—it’s about an industry refusing to tolerate unchecked entitlement any longer, especially when directed at one of its most respected icons.
LuPone’s talent is undeniable, but her refusal to evolve—whether in feuds with Madonna or tone-deaf remarks on race—has worn thin. As Broadway moves toward inclusivity, her “my way or the highway” attitude has left many wondering: Is it time for Patti to take her final bow?
For now, the Tony Awards may have to decide whether honoring a legend is worth platforming someone who, in the eyes of 500+ petitioners, “represents the worst of Broadway’s unchecked ego.”
