Nicole Scherzinger – Tony Awardee for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Sunset Blvd (photo from @nicolescherzinger instagram page)
Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss, and Marco Paguia made history at the 2025 Tony Awards, spotlighting Filipino-American excellence on Broadway’s biggest night.
NEW YORK — Broadway made history on June 8, 2025, when three Filipino-American artists—Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss, and Marco Paguia—earned major honors at the 78th Annual Tony Awards. In a single evening, their wins redefined visibility for Filipino talent on the American stage—from center spotlight to behind the music.
Held at Radio City Music Hall, the ceremony marked a moment of cultural and artistic convergence: Scherzinger and Criss won top acting awards for musical performances, while Paguia was recognized for his work shaping the soul of a major production. It was the first time three Filipino-Americans were honored across leading and technical categories at Broadway’s highest level.
Nicole Scherzinger: “I Have Come Home at Last”
Making her Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard, Nicole Scherzinger delivered a commanding performance as Norma Desmond, earning her the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.
Clad in a crimson Rodarte gown, Scherzinger gave one of the night’s most moving speeches:
“I always felt like I didn’t belong — but you all have made me feel like I belong, and I have come home at last.”
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Nicole Scherzinger is the daughter of Alfonso Valiente, who is of Filipino descent, and Rosemary Elikolani, a Native Hawaiian with Ukrainian ancestry. Raised in Louisville, Kentucky, she studied musical theater before rising to international fame as the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls.
Her return to the stage was more than a career pivot—it was a return to her roots.Sunset Boulevardalso won Best Revival of a Musical and Best Lighting Design, with Scherzinger’s performance hailed as operatic, vulnerable, and unmissable.
Darren Criss: A Leading Man Reimagined
Darren Criss, already a Golden Globe and Emmy winner, took home the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending. His portrayal of Oliver, a decommissioned android rediscovering emotion, was praised for its subtlety and warmth.
In his speech, Criss thanked his wife Mia, the show’s creative team, and the ensemble cast. While he made no direct mention of his background during the ceremony, his performance and recognition signaled a new era of visibility for Asian-American talent in principal theatrical roles.
Darren Criss – Tony Awardee for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending (photo from @darrencriss instagram page)
Criss, born in San Francisco, is the son of Cerina Criss, a Cebuana immigrant of Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish descent. He has spoken in past interviews about how his multicultural background shaped his career and creative voice.
From his breakout role in Glee to his historic Emmy win for portraying Andrew Cunanan, Criss has continually defied expectations. His Tony win affirms that the Broadway leading man is no longer confined to one look, voice, or lineage.
Marco Paguia: The Maestro Behind the Music
Marco Paguia, a Filipino-American orchestrator and music director, won the Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for his work on Buena Vista Social Club. His lush arrangements honored the Afro-Cuban soul of the source material while elevating it with theatrical sophistication.
Marco Paguia – Tony Awardee for Best Orchestrations for his work on Buena Vista Social Club. (photo from @mrpagoo instagram page)
Paguia, a fixture in New York’s jazz and theater scenes, has worked across genres—from avant-garde jazz clubs to Broadway’s most demanding musical pits. This win placed him in the spotlight and marked a historic recognition of Filipino talent behind the scenes.
His orchestrations were essential to Buena Vista Social Club‘s immersive soundscape, which was also honored for choreography and sound design.
A Banner Night for Filipino-American Talent
In addition to the three major wins, the Tony Awards spotlighted other Filipino-American creatives:
– Conrad Ricamora earned a nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his surrealist role in Oh, Mary!
– Clint Ramos, a previous Tony winner and respected costume designer, earned his seventh nomination for his work on Maybe Happy Ending.
– Lea Salonga, the celebrated Tony and Olivier Award-winning Filipina star, served as a presenter. She introduced Maybe Happy Ending, which went on to win Best Musical.
Their collective presence highlighted not only individual achievement, but a cultural turning point for an entire community long rooted in musical excellence—from show choirs and church bands to Broadway’s biggest stages.
A Defining Moment
The 2025 Tony Awards didn’t just mark wins—they marked a shift.
Filipino-American artists were not only included—they redefined the spotlight. It was a night of breakthrough—but more importantly, a night of belonging.
For Broadway, and for the generations still waiting in the wings, it was proof that the curtain has lifted on something bigger.
