Audra McDonald & Patti LuPone: No Rift Knowledge
Audra McDonald responds to Patti LuPone’s claim of a nonexistent rift, stunning the Broadway community. McDonald, in a recent CBS Mornings interview, expressed surprise at LuPone’s comments, stating she’s unaware of any feud. This follows LuPone’s remarks in The New Yorker, where she stated McDonald is “not a friend” – a comment that has sent shockwaves. The article analyzes the evolving dynamic surrounding McDonald and LuPone’s past,including their Tony Award nominations and the broader conversations taking place within the theater world. Numerous Broadway stars, including Adrienne Warren and Viola Davis, have rallied around McDonald and Kecia Lewis, adding further fuel to the fire, and News Directory 3 is keeping tabs on it all. Discover what’s next in this unfolding drama.
Audra McDonald Addresses Patti LuPone “Rift” Claim
Updated June 02, 2025
Broadway star Audra McDonald has responded to Patti LuPone’s assertion that the two are not friends. Speaking with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, McDonald expressed surprise at LuPone’s comments and denied knowledge of any existing feud. The full interview is scheduled to air next week.
“I mean, if there’s a rift between us, I don’t know what it is. That’s something you’d have to ask Patti about,” McDonald said. She added, “I haven’t seen her in about 11 years as I’ve been busy with life and stuff. So, I don’t know what rift she’s talking about. You’d have to ask her.” The exchange highlights the ongoing drama within the Broadway community and the complex relationships between its leading figures.
LuPone’s initial remarks appeared in a recent New Yorker profile, where she stated, “She’s not a friend,” referring to McDonald.The profile also touched on McDonald’s Tony Award nomination for playing Rose in Gypsy, a role for which LuPone previously won a Tony. When asked about McDonald’s performance,LuPone reportedly paused for 15 seconds before simply commenting,”What a lovely day.”
Manny Carabel/Getty Images
The tension extends beyond McDonald. LuPone also made disparaging comments about Broadway actress Kecia Lewis in the same profile. This stems from a noise complaint filed by the cast of The Roommate, where LuPone was performing, regarding the sound levels of Alicia Keys’s hell’s Kitchen, where Lewis starred. A video of LuPone’s complaint circulated online, prompting Lewis to respond with an open letter video, which McDonald supported with emojis.
LuPone responded to Lewis’s video in The New Yorker, questioning Lewis’s experience and using derogatory language. “Here’s the problem. She calls herself a veteran? Let’s find out how many Broadway shows Kecia Lewis has done, as she doesn’t know what the fk she’s talking about,” LuPone said. “Don’t call yourself a vet, bih.”
In response to LuPone’s remarks, several Broadway figures have voiced their support for both lewis and McDonald. Tony winner Adrienne Warren expressed gratitude for the two women’s contributions to the industry, while actress Viola Davis pledged to fight for them. Actress Yvette Nicole Brown emphasized the importance of speaking out against mistreatment within the community. tony winner Donna murphy also shared her admiration and respect for McDonald and Lewis, highlighting their historical undervaluation as women of color.
“I mean, if there’s a rift between us, I don’t know what it is indeed. That’s something you’d have to ask Patti about,” detailed mcdonald.
What’s next
The Broadway community continues to watch as the drama unfolds, with many anticipating further responses and clarifications from all parties involved. The incident has sparked conversations about respect, legacy, and the treatment of veteran performers in the industry.