Tony Awards host P!nk brought an iconic pop culture reference from 25 years ago to 2026’s ceremony, opening the televised show with a leading lady-themed remake of “Lady Marmalade.” Megan Thee Stallion, who recently took an early exit from her run in Moulin Rouge, took the New York stage in her Zidler costume next to P!nk and reworked Lil’ Kim’s rap from the 2001 supergroup single during Sunday night’s (June 7) lively performance.
The parody of “Lady Marmalade” (based on the Grammy-winning version of the song P!nk once recorded with Lil’ Kim, Christina Aguilera and Mya), “Leading Lady Marmalade,” had P!nk highlighting several of Broadway’s best in the tune’s “gitchie, gitchie” chorus.
Lea Michele, who wasn’t nominated for an award this year, joined in for a cameo to hit Xtina’s big vocal note from the original “Lady Marmalade” — but swapped in a fitting lyric, all things considered: “We don’t do it for the awards.”
June Squibb, nominated in the best performance by an actress in a featured role in a play category, and seated in the front row at Radio City Music Hall, also had a scene-stealing moment. When the mic was pointed her way, Squibb — who’s the oldest acting nominee in Tony Awards history — quipped to the tune of “Mocha Chocolata, ya-ya“: “All the parts I’ve played, I’ve slayed ’em.”
Backed by a full-stage ensemble that included familiar faces like Broadway’s Dylan Mulvaney, Shoshana Bean, Neil Patrick Harris and more, the opening number ended with a soaring “Welcome to the Tony Awards!” from P!nk.
Harris, who’s had four turns hosting the awards ceremony himself, had helped P!nk lead into the “Leading Lady Marmalade” scene after the pop star first made a spinning-in-the-air entrance, dressed as Peter Pan.
“I just wanna show how much I love theater even though I’ve never been on Broadway,” she told Harris, who wondered what she was up to.
“But you’re P!nk, you can do anything,” he replied.
“But I’m worried some people will wonder why P!nk is hosting the Tonys. I just want to make sure everyone knows I’m thrilled to be here and I want my opener to be as ‘Broadway’ as possible,” P!nk insisted.
P!nk had hinted at a “wild” Tony Awards opening number in interviews in the days leading up to this year’s ceremony. Without spoiling the “Lady Marmalade” nod, P!nk told Broadway.com, “It’s just a full-blown ridiculous celebration. I told them my one caveat was that immediately as soon as I step onto the stage, I have to make fun of myself, and make it absolutely just about fun and celebrating everyone.”
Follow a complete list of the 2026 Tony Awards winners, updating live as they’re announced, here.
Leave a comment