Patti LuPone has issued a statement following controversial remarks she made during an interview with the New Yorker.

In the interview, the famously outspoken Tony winner, known for her roles in Evita, Gypsy and Company, made derogatory comments about Black Broadway stars Tony winner Audra McDonald (who she described as “not a friend”) and Tony winner Kecia Lewis (who LuPone described as a “b*tch”, and claimed was not a Broadway veteran despite eight appearances on the Great White Way over many years). The spat came after a grumble over noise levels during LuPone’s run in The Roommate on Broadway, playing adjacent to the Lewis-featuring Hell’s Kitchen. 

The comments led to significant backlash from the Broadway community, with over 500 artists signing an open letter condemning her behaviour as bullying and disrespectful.

In response to the criticism, LuPone issued a public apology, expressing regret for her comments and acknowledging that her behaviour was inappropriate. She stated that she hopes to personally apologise to McDonald and Lewis.

You can read the statement in full here:

“For as long as I have worked in the theatre, I have spoken my mind and never apologised. That is changing today.

“I am deeply sorry for the words I used during the New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were demeaning and disrespectful. I regret my flippant and emotional responses during this interview, which were inappropriate, and I am devastated that my behaviour has offended others and has run counter to what we hold dear in this community. I hope to have the chance to speak to Audra and Kecia personally to offer my sincere apologies.

“I wholeheartedly agree with everything that was written in the open letter shared yesterday. From middle school drama clubs to professional stages, theatre has always been about lifting each other up and welcoming those who feel they don’t belong anywhere else. I made a mistake, I take full responsibility for it, and I am committed to making this right. Our entire theatre community deserves better.”