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Broadway's biggest night shone even brighter this year as Nicole Scherzinger and Darren Criss--both of Filipino descent--earned top honors at the 2025 Tony Awards held on Sunday, June 8, at Radio City Music Hall. Their wins mark not only career highs but also historic representation for Filipino and Asian-American artists on the Broadway stage.

Nicole Scherzinger has officially gone from global pop icon to Broadway powerhouse. At the 2025 Tony Awards, Nicole won Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her stunning portrayal of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. Her win marks a powerful Broadway debut and a defining moment for representation in theater.

The former X Factor judge expressed her gratitude to the Tony Awards, saying they helped make “a little girl from Hawaiian, Ukrainian, and Filipino roots” see her dream come true.

"Growing up, I always felt like I didn't belong, but you all have made me feel like I belong and I have come home, at last," she said. "If there's anyone out there who feels like they don't belong or your time hasn't come, don't give up."

"Just keep on giving and giving because the world needs your love and your light now more than ever. This is a testament that love always wins."

Meanwhile, Darren Criss honored his wife Mia and dedicated his win to her, with whom he shares two kids. "The real hero of this remarkable journey is my wife, Mia, who took a massive swing at allowing me to do this," he said in his speech. "To allow this crazy upheaval in our life, to make this logistically possible, and to bear the brunt of raising two tiny friends under three, so that I could raise a singing robot at the Belasco Theatre eight times a week."

He added, "You're the very pedestal that upholds the shiny spinny bit in our lives, and your love and your support for me and our beautiful children, combined with the miracle of working on something as magical as Maybe Happy Ending, has been and will always be awarded enough."

Darren is Filipino on his mother's side. His mother, Cerina Bru, was born in Cebu, Philippines, and is of Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish descent. He has spoken in various interviews of his Filipino heritage and how it's shaped his identity. Although he was born and raised in the U.S., he has embraced his multicultural background and has mentioned feeling a strong connection to his Filipino roots, especially through family and food.

He first stole hearts as Blaine Anderson on Glee, and has long proven his range. He previously won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his unforgettable role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace, and now adds a Tony to his growing list of accolades.

Nicole Scherzinger is of Filipino descent on her father's side--her father, Alfonso Valiente, is Filipino--while her mother is Native Hawaiian and Ukrainian. She proudly embraces this part of her background. Nicole has celebrated her Filipino roots publicly--for instance, she shared a TikTok performing “Hush, Hush,” a karaoke favorite in the Philippines, and captioned it, “So proud to be Filipino.”

She is known around the world as the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls and a former X Factor judge. She stunned audiences with her Broadway debut as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. With this Tony win, she adds theater's top honor to her long list of accomplishments in music and television.

Nicole and Darren not only won big at the Tonys, they made it a landmark night for Filipino representation on Broadway.

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MEANWHILE, CHECK OUT THE OTHER HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES WITH FILIPINO BLOOD