Cynthia Erivo, Reneé Elise Goldsberry and Oprah Win Tony Awards

The 70th Tony Awards were among the most diverse in its history. Four Black actors took home awards for their performances in musicals. Three of them, Reneé Elise Goldsberry, Daveed Diggs, and Leslie Odom Jr. star in Hamilton, which took home 11 awards.

British actress Cynthia Erivo won the award for Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Celie in The Color Purple. The show, based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer prize and National Book Award-winning novel, won for Best Revival of a Musical. As a producer of the show, Oprah Winfrey won as well.

Walter McBride/WireImage

Cynthia Erivo brought down the house with a stirring performance of "I'm Here" during the cast's Tony Awards performance. She first performed the role of Celie in 2013 production of the show staged in a 180 seat theater in London.

Watch her stirring acceptance speech.


Watch the cast's performance.

Walter McBridge/WireImage

Reneé Elise Goldsberry is a broadway veteran who took home her first Tony, Featured Actress in a Musical, for her role as Angelica Schuyler. Goldsberry has a special connection to the night's other big winner, The Color Purple. She originated the role of Nettie in the show's first Broadway production.

awards Cynthia Erivo Oprah Reneé Elise Goldsberry Tony Awards