Patti LuPone Issues Career-First Apology for ‘Demeaning and Disrespectful’ Words That Inspired Broadway Backlash (2025)

Patti LuPone has apologized for her incendiary remarks about fellow Broadway stars Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis.

One day after more than 500 members of the Broadway community signed an open letter reprimanding LuPone, 76, for her recent comments directed at McDonald, 54, and Hell's Kitchen star Lewis, 59, in a May 26 New Yorkerprofile, LuPone issued her apology on Instagram on May 31.

“For as long as I have worked in the theatre, I have spoken my mind and never apologized. That is changing today,” LuPone began her statement. “I am deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were demeaning and disrespectful.”

“I regret my flippant and emotional responses during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behavior has offended others and has run counter to what we hold dear in this community,” she continued. “I hope to have the chance to speak to Audra and Kecia personally to offer my sincere apologies.”

“I wholeheartedly agree with everything that was written in the open letter shared yesterday. From middle school drama clubs to professional stages, theatre has always been about lifting each other up and welcoming those who feel they don't belong anywhere else,” she concluded. “I made a mistake, I take full responsibility for it, and I am committed to making this right. Our entire theatre community deserves better.”

The open letter, which was addressed to the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League and "the greater theatre community" on May 30, described LuPone's comments as "a blatant act of racialized disrespect" that "constitutes bullying" and harassment and called on the groups to disinvite LuPone from the Tony Awards on June 8 and take on further efforts to "[establish] a broader standard of accountability moving forward."

McDonald herself addressed LuPone's comments about their friendship in an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings set to air Tuesday, June 3. The programshared a clip onInstagramon May 29, in which McDonald said, “If there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is,” after King asked her whether she was "surprised" by LuPone's comments.

"That's something you'd have to ask Patti about. You know, I haven't seen her in about 11 years just because we've been busy just with life. So I don't know what rift she's talking about, but you'd have to ask her," McDonald added in that clip.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

LuPone's mention of an apparent feud between her and McDonald comes as McDonald is nominated at the upcomingTonysfor her starring role in a revival ofGypsy. When LuPone was asked byThe New Yorkerwhat she thought of McDonald’sGypsyperformance, the performer — who won a Tony for playing the same role in the 2008 production — reportedly stared in silence for 15 seconds before turning to the window and sighing, "What a beautiful day."

McDonald received her record-making 11th Tony nominationforGypsy,becoming the most nominated performer of all time. The actress already holds the record for wins, with six Tonys. LuPone has three.

The topic of their friendship came up in theNew Yorkerpiece when LuPone was asked about a public conflict she held with Lewis in fall 2024; the Hell's Kitchenstar hadposted a video to Instagram criticizing LuPone for calling the Alicia Keys musical "too loud"— remarks that Lewis dubbed "bullying," "offensive," "racially microaggressive," "rude" and "rooted in privilege." At the time, LuPone was starring opposite Mia Farrow in the playThe Roommateand had been complaining about hearingHell's Kitchen's sound cues through the wall the two buildings shared.

In the New Yorker piece, Lupone said, "That's typical of Audra," when she was told that McDonald had responded to Lewis' video with supportive emojis.