Audra McDonald Makes History!

Written By: Whitney J

If you did not watch the Tony Award’s last night then you missed an amazing moment American history! Audra McDonald, singer and actress, won her sixth Tony award for portraying Billie Holiday in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill”! This Tony award placed her ahead of Angela Lansbury and the late Julie Harris who were tied for most awards with five Tony Awards! Audra McDonald is now the most competitive actress with wins!

This Tony Award win was for best lead actress in a play, making her the first grand slam performance winner! Previously she won awards for best featured actress in a play in “A Raisin in the Sun” and “Master Class”, best lead actress in musical “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess”, and best featured actress in a musical “Ragtime” and “Carousel”! The winnings do not stop there, because McDonald also has two Grammys!

I know that this amazing accomplishment has set the bar for African American females everywhere to aspire to being more than just a housewife, video vixen, and the next (un)professional fighter on reality TV! Today I am even more proud to be an African American woman! Audra McDonald, you’re the real MVP!