Audra mcdonald fires back at patti lupone’s claim she’s ‘not a friend’ after broadway rift

EntertainmentAudra McDonald fires back at Patti LuPone’s claim she’s ‘not a friend’ after Broadway riftBy Alexandra BellusciPublishedMay 29, 2025, 5:55 p.m. ET

Audra McDonald is setting the record straight on where she stands with Patti LuPone.

On Monday, the Broadway legend, 76, told The New Yorker that McDonald, 54, is “not a friend.”

McDonald shared her point of view on LuPone’s comment in a clip shared to CBS “Sunday Mornings” Instagram on Thursday.

Morning/Instagram9Audra McDonald on CBS “Sunday Mornings.” CBS Sunday Morning/Instagram

“If there’s a rift between us, I don’t know what it is,” she stated. “That’s something you’d have to ask Patti about. You know, I haven’t seen her in about 11 years just because we’ve been

busy just with life. So I don’t know what rift she’s talking about, but you’d have to ask her.” 

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Many fans flocked to the comments section to praise McDonald for her response, with one follower sharing, “Audra is a class act (had she chosen to be petty I wouldn’t have been mad either.)”

Another social media user wrote, “‘I don’t know her’ energy. our queen!” while a third chimed in, “She certainly took the high road.”

League’s 27th Annual All-Star Benefit Gala. FilmMagic

During LuPone’s interview, she told the outlet their rift is due to an incident that occurred years prior.

When asked to comment on McDonald’s current role as Rose in “Gypsy,” LuPone allegedly sat in silence before turning to the window, letting out a sigh and exclaiming, “What a beautiful day.”

The “Private Practice” alum is nominated for a Tony this year for her role as Mama Rose in “Gypsy.” The nod makes McDonald the most nominated performer of all time, with 11 nominations

total, while the “Agatha All Along” star previously won a Tony for her part in the musical in 2008.

with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images9Patti LuPone, Michael Cerveris, Audra McDonald. Aubrey Reuben

McDonald has already garnered six Tonys, while LuPone has taken home three.

The former friends have performed together over the years, both starring in the New York Philharmonic’s concert version of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” in 2000.

Seven years later, they took the stage again to work on the LA Opera’s production of “Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.”

Awards. Getty Images for GLAAD

During LuPone’s sit down, she also discussed another sore subject: her “painful” relationship with ex Kevin Kline, 77.

The two were on and off for seven years in the 1970s, with the “And Just Like That…” actress telling the New Yorker, “I took an instant dislike to him.”

“He looked like Pinocchio to me,” continued LuPone. “He had skinny legs and he was tall, and I didn’t really see the handsomeness.”

Freelance Photographer

One day, sparks flew in the back of a class when the pair began “feeling each other up.”

LuPone exclaimed, “He was a Lothario.”

During their relationship, the former flames starred in the 1975 Broadway musical “The Robber Bridegroom.”

LuPone married Matthew Johnston in 1988. They later welcomed a son, Joshua Luke Johnston.

“Gypsy.” WireImage9Audra McDonald portrays Rose during a performance of the Broadway musical “Gypsy” in New York. AP

In 1989, Kline ended up tying the knot with Phoebe Cates and welcoming children Owen and Greta.

“It was a painful relationship,” LuPone reflected. “I was his girlfriend when he wanted me to be his girlfriend, but if there was somebody else he would break up with me and go out with that

person. And I, for some reason, stuck it out — until I couldn’t stick it out anymore.” 

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