Kara Young Makes History with Consecutive Tony Awards

At the 78th Annual Tony Awards on June 8, 2025, Kara achieved an unprecedented milestone in Broadway history by becoming the first Black actor to win back-to-back Tonys for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play as Aziza Houston in the play Purpose.

The ceremony took place in New York City’s Radio City Hall and was hosted by Cynthia Ervio, a famous actress and singer. Although other shows such as Maybe Happy Ending took the spotlight as the most-awarded production, Young’s achievements still stood out that night.

Young’s win follows her 2024 award for Purlie Victorious, making her the first Black performer ever to receive back-to-back Tony Awards. She also holds the record for the most consecutive nominations by a Black actress, being nominated in 2022 (Clyde’s), 2023 (Cost of Living), 2024 (Purlie Victorious), and 2025 (Purpose). Her performance in Purpose was widely praised for its charm and emotional depth.

As she entered the press room after receiving her award, she was greeted with cheering and a standing ovation. Young then took to the winners platform, where a reporter asked her how she finds love, connection, and purpose in the industry today.

She answered, “Where I go to feel love, connection, and purpose is the theatre. Whether I have the fortunate honor of being in a play, or the fortunate honor of being an audience member. We are so divided out here in the world, but that we can literally sit in a theatre, where nothing else matters but the story and our heartbeats and our listening ears… I feel so grateful and an overwhelming amount of gratitude for it. I don’t think I really fully understand the gravity of [my historic win], but I feel grateful to be doing this every day. Even on Monday’s! Monday is the dark day, as they say, in theatre, but there is still something about being an actor, you’re still committed to the story on the dark days. I’m grateful. I’m grateful. I’m grateful.” (https://playbill.com/article/kara-young-weeps-with-joy-for-the-anointed-ancestral-power-behind-her-back-to-back-tony-wins?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Kara Young’s achievement highlights a significant moment in Broadway’s persisting journey towards recognition of Black talent in the theatre industry. Her consecutive Tony Award wins not only celebrate her magnificent performances but also may inspire future generations to pursue their own dreams.