The 2025 Tony Awards celebrated the biggest names in Broadway on June 8 at Radio City Music Hall. Recognizing excellence in live Broadway theatre performances, the award ceremony bestowed the highest awards in American theatre to some of the most celebrated actors in the industry as well as a few up-and-comers.
The dramatics didn’t end on the stage, however. The red carpet is where some of the biggest stars had their chance to shine. From theatrical silhouettes to striking colors and textiles, the Tonys carpet was certainly a place for fashion extravagance. Let’s take a peek at some of the looks that deserved a standing ovation.
Sadie Sink: Coming-of-age in couture Prada
Sadie Sink stunned viewers in a custom pearlescent Prada gown. Delicately embellished with a crystal bow, the dress featured a plunging V-neckline. Sink looked effortlessly elegant with her fiery red hair swept back into a sleek bun. She completed the look with deep cherry-colored lip.
The Stranger Things star received a nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for John Proctor Is the Villain. At 23 years old, this makes Sink the second youngest person ever to be nominated for Best Actress at the Tonys.
When asked on the carpet about bringing newer generations back into Broadway, Sink had this to say: “To have young people be at the stage door and say that they saw themselves on a Broadway stage…It’s an amazing thing that we get to offer people, and I’m just so moved that they’re moved.”
Jonathan Groff: Burgundy and bold in Thom Browne
Naturally, I had to include the man from my own hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. But even if Jonathan Groff wasn’t a fellow alum from my high school, he still would have easily earned a spot on this best-dressed list. (In fact, his mom made me do push-ups in elementary school gym class, so if anything he’s kind of beating the odds here).
Groff looked tailored and polished in a burgundy Thom Browne three-piece suit. He paired the ensemble with a matching maroon watch. A silver Jean Schlumberger brooch by Tiffany & Co. adorned his jacket featuring a bird perched on a rock. The actor completed the look with cropped trousers to show off his polished leather boots.
As he walked the carpet, Groff shared his parents have contributed to his love for the arts. “I grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and my parents are jocks, sports people,” he stated. “My mom is a gym teacher, and my dad trains and races horses for a living. And when I was three, I wanted to be Mary Poppins for Halloween. And I wanted to be Dorothy in the Halloween parade when I was four or five years old. They let me dress up in drag and be creative and express myself, and so that’s the whole reason I’m here.”
Nominated for Lead Actor in a Musical for his role in Just in Time, the actor also returned to join the original Hamilton cast for a medley performance for the 10-year anniversary of the musical.
Cole Escola: Cinderella in Wiederhoft
Cole Escola looked breathtaking in a Cinderella-blue Wiederhoeft gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a form-fitting corset bodice. Intricate beaded embroidery cascaded down the center of the dress from the bodice to the hemline. A dramatic satin train flared out behind them on the red carpet.
Escola’s choice of dress was an ode to theatre legend Bernadette Peters’ 1999 Tony Award gown. Peters wore a similar dress to accept her award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Annie Get Your Gun. Even their hair was a nod to Peters, styling their wig in a curly updo in her signature style.
The inspiration doesn’t end there, however. Escola’s matching brooch contained a picture of 1800s actress and theatre manager Laura Keene, star of famous play Our American Cousin. The actor shared on the carpet, “I have visited her grave a few times since Oh, Mary! opened and I feel she’s looking over me.”
Escola was nominated for a total of five awards this year. They took home the award for Best Leading Actor in a Play for their role in Oh, Mary!, a play that they also wrote. They are the first nonbinary winner in this category. Escola beat out actors George Clooney, Jon Michael Hill, Daniel Dae Kim, Henry Lennix and Louis McCartney.
Cynthia Erivo: Wickedly glamorous in Schiaparelli
Cynthia Erivo hosted the Tony Awards this year, and there was truly no better person for the job. She has had a show-stopping year with the huge success of the film adaptation of Wicked, where she starred as Elphaba alongside Ariana Grande’s Glinda.
The wickedly talented actress wore a Schiaparelli champagne gown from the designer’s Spring 2025 Couture collection. The uniquely sculpted bodice features an almost bowl-shaped, off-the-shoulder neckline. Ornate crystal and pearl detailing adorn the structured bodice alongside white floral embroidery. In contrast, the velvet skirt flowed effortlessly, softening the structured top with its elegant drape.
The actress paired the dress with a matching choker necklace. She also brought her signature nails to the carpet with 3D floral embellishments by nail artist Shea Osei. One thing’s for sure: when it comes to Cynthia Erivo, she never steps onto the carpet without bringing her unmistakable flair.
Fina Strazza: NYC princess in Michael Fausto
Fina Strazza wore a cream ballgown by New York designer Michael Fausto. The ivory dress featured a corset-like bodice and peplum-style flair at the waist. The floral lace detailing at the deep-scooped neckline paired with Strazza’s dainty silver jewelry, including a plethora of rings, pulled the whole look together.
Strazza is nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in John Proctor is the Villain. She is the youngest nominee this year at only 19 years old.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Strazza commented, “I wanted to try and nod to the show in some way as well. So there is this slight Puritan aspect to the look where it feels like it could potentially be something in the realm of 1666. There’s something a little bit vintage about it. It feels like an elevated version of what the girls wear at the end of the show.”
Leslie Odom, Jr.: Streetwear and stagecraft in Fear of God
Hamilton actor Leslie Odom, Jr. returned to the Tony Awards red carpet sporting a Fear of God oversized, pin-striped beige suit fresh off the Fall 2025 runway. He accessorized the ensemble with a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes and Ray-Ban sunglasses.
Odom was also in attendance to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Hamilton. The actor, who played Aaron Burr with the original cast, came back to perform a medley from the award-winning musical, including songs “Non-Stop,” “My Shot,” “The Schuyler Sisters,” “Guns and Ships,” and “History Has Its Eyes on You.”
His stylist, Ava Yermagayan, stated the actor’s choice of suiting reflected him “supporting a revolutionary American designer in a show based on the American Revolution.” Odom has also shared that he is a “longtime fan” of designer Jerry Lorenzo. It comes as no surprise that he would choose to collaborate with him on this year’s Tonys look. The actor also wore a matching black ensemble for the Hamilton performance.
Lea Michele: all business in Michael Kors
Lea Michele kept things classy with a perfectly tailored black Michael Kors tuxedo gown. The dress includes a halter neckline and tuxedo vest bodice with dramatic satin lapels. The bottom half of the gown had a chiffon skirt and train with a sexy thigh-high slit. Her silver accessories and black pointed heels completed the flawless look.
Michele is not nominated this current award season, but she is no stranger to the Broadway stage. Only recently, in 2023, she performed as Fanny Brice in the revival of Funny Girl to huge success.
The actress is also close with longtime friend and former co-star Jonathan Groff. The two grew close over their time working together on Spring Awakening and Glee, so Michele of course had to attend the Tonys to show support for her nominated bestie.
Sarah Paulson: Sculptural elegance in Haute Schiaparelli
Sarah Paulson wore a Schiaparelli Spring 2025 Haute Couture gown. It featured a full-bodied cream skirt and a black sculptural high-neck velvet bodice. The skirt, complete with floral embroidery, satin stitching, and a bow, fell slightly above the ankles to reveal Roger Vivier’s black pumps.
Styled with gold accessories, including Buccellati jewelry and a matching clutch, Paulson looked absolutely stunning on the red carpet.The actress was bringing complete and utter elegance to the Tonys this year. The craftsmanship on this dress is truly commendable.
Of course, we can expect nothing less from last year’s Tony Award winner for Best Actress in a Play. The Tonys invited Paulson back to act as a presenter alongside Wendell Pierce to announce the winners at this year’s award show.
Daveed Diggs: Seafoam swagger in AMIRI
Daveed Diggs sported a shimmering sea foam green tuxedo suit by AMIRI, an L.A. based luxury fashion house. The Spring 2025 suit featured white lapels and flared trousers with matching white piping running down each leg. He wore a pale green button-up underneath the whole ensemble for a monochromatic finish. Accessories included a vintage brooch by Deco Jewels, a brand specializing in vintage accessories, styled as a custom bow tie.
Diggs, yet another original Hamilton member–are we sensing a theme here?–took to the red carpet to celebrate and perform for the 10th year anniversary accompanied by his wife Emmy Raver-Lampman, another original cast member of the show.
When asked about the lasting impact the show has had on their lives, Diggs and Raver-Lampman (adorably) talked about each other. The actor stated, “It brought this person into my life…It’s crazy to think about. There are people who we’ve met in this show [that are] in our house every day.”
Broadway’s best dressed take a bow
The 2025 Tony Awards red carpet wasn’t just a pre-show—it was a performance all on its own. From larger-than-life gowns to sleek, statement-making suits, the stars brought looks that were as bold and expressive as the roles they play onstage. The level of fashion drama was totally Tony-worthy.
What stood out most this year wasn’t just the couture, but the personal flair behind each outfit. Every look felt intentional—like a love letter to theatre, identity, and self-expression.
So yes, the awards were great. But let’s be real: the red carpet had its own set of winners—and I’d happily give them all a standing ovation.
