Audra McDonald

Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy, in 2015 she received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama and was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People. In 2025 she became the acting categories’ most decorated individual in Tony history after earning an 11th nomination for Gypsy. On television, McDonald won an Emmy as the official host of PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center and is known for recurring roles on various hit television shows. Her film credits include Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast and MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect. A Juilliard-trained soprano, McDonald maintains a career as a Grammy-winning recording and concert artist. Her latest solo album, Sing Happy, was recorded live with the New York Philharmonic for Decca Gold. She is a founding member of Black Theatre United, board member of Covenant House International, and prominent advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights. Her favorite roles are performed offstage, as an activist, wife to actor Will Swenson, and mother to her amazing children.