TL;DR
- Pink hosts the Tony Awards for the first time
- Opened with a star-studded musical number
- Family joined her on the red carpet
- Expressed excitement and nerves before the show
- Celebrated Broadway’s best with a dazzling performance
Pink took center stage at the 79th Annual Tony Awards on Sunday night, making her debut as host of Broadway’s biggest celebration and opening the ceremony with a star-studded musical number at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Grammy Award-winning singer arrived on the red carpet with her family by her side, including husband Carey Hart, daughter Willow Hart, son Jameson Hart, and her mother, Judith Moore.
Wearing a sparkling black gown featuring dramatic ruffles and a sweeping train, Pink was ready to take on hosting duties for the first major awards show of her career. The show kicked off with a seven-minute opening number featuring Pink alongside Queen Latifah, Rachel Zegler, and Leslie Odom Jr., backed by more than 170 performers. The production showcased music by Tony Award-winning songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, in collaboration with Oscar-winning songwriter Mark Sonnenblick, with choreography by Sarah O’Gleby.
In the lead-up to the ceremony, Pink admitted she was feeling both excited and nervous about the high-profile hosting gig. “Terri-cited,” she said during a recent appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” describing herself as a mix of terrified and excited. “I’ll probably fall. But that’s good,” she joked. “I tell my own audience if I fall, please laugh so we can move on.” Pink planned to poke fun at herself as soon as she took the stage. “My one rule was that I have to make fun of myself as soon as I hit the stage, however I hit the stage, and that’s what I’m doing,” she said at the time. “It’s going to be so much fun.”
The hosting role holds special significance for the singer because of Willow’s love of musical theater. During her chat with Meyers, Pink described her daughter as “Broadway obsessed” and noted how the theater community has been supportive of the teenager’s dreams. “I have found everyone to be very enveloping and welcoming and lovely, actually,” Pink shared.
The Tony Awards, which honor the best of Broadway, aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ from Radio City Music Hall, celebrating the magic of theater and the talent that brings it to life. With Pink at the helm, the night was destined to be a fabulous affair, full of laughter, love, and a reminder of the importance of family in the world of entertainment.