Overview

• In her late-May New Yorker interview, LuPone questioned Lewis’s Broadway tenure, told McDonald “You should know better,” and called Lewis a “bitch” while comparing their show credits.
• Kecia Lewis denounced LuPone’s prior noise complaint as bullying and racially microaggressive and Audra McDonald showed support with hearts and applause emojis on Instagram.
• Reactions in the theater community have been sharply divided, with some praising LuPone’s candor and others condemning her remarks as racist and unprofessional.
• Experts including Monica Cwynar and Deepak Sarma say the episode highlights how well-meaning critiques can reinforce harmful stereotypes and privilege-driven hierarchies on Broadway.
• Calls for public accountability and renewed discussions about representation and respect for artists of color have intensified ahead of the Tonys.