Ariana DeBose Praises Broadway for Being a 'Safe Place' in Tony Awards Opening

Ariana DeBose kicked off the 2024 Tony Awards by praising Broadway as a “safe place” in the world.

The 33-year-old Oscar-winning actress is hosting the award show for the third year in a row on Sunday (June 16) at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.

Ariana opened the show with an original song titled “This Party’s for You” and she revealed to the crowd that she helped choreograph the performance.

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“We are in a global moment when the headlines are, frankly, terrifying most of the time,” Ariana told the audience. “But the theater is a safe place for us. And in the most trying of times, art is imperative because art reflects society and provides context for the very real situations that we find ourselves in today. The collective experience can cross boundaries and unite people from all walks of life.”

She continued, “Broadway has a lot to offer. No matter what you are looking for, I promise you, there is a play or a musical that will touch your heart, speak to how you are feeling, help you cope, give you courage. You might even feel motivated to go out into the world and create change because Lord knows we need some.”

Check out the photos of Ariana on the red carpet at the Tonys!