Patti LuPone apologises after ‘bullying’ accusations from Broadway peers: ‘I made a mistake’

An award-winning star has issued an apology after more than 500 of peers called her out for “bullying” following her recent scathing comments.

Patti LuPone has issued an apology after the Broadway community called her out for “bullying” following her recent comments in the New Yorker.

“For as long as I have worked in the theatre, I have spoken my mind and never apologised. That is changing today,” LuPone wrote in a statement shared to her Instagram.

“I am deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were demeaning and disrespectful.”

Patti LuPone issued an apology after being called out by the Broadway community for her “inappropriate” comments in a New Yorker profile. Picture: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

The actress added that she feels “regret” over her “flippant” and “emotional” comments about her colleagues, which she called “inappropriate.”

“I am devastated that my behaviour has offended others and has run counter to what we hold dear in this community. I hope to have the chance to speak with Audra and Kecia personally to offer my sincere apologies,” she continued.

She concluded by saying that she “wholeheartedly” agrees with the open letter written by her Broadway peers.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Lupone says she takes “full responsibility” for her “mistake”.

“From middle school drama clubs to professional stages, theatre has always been about lifting each other up and welcoming those who feel like they don’t belong anywhere else,” LuPone wrote.

“I made a mistake, I take full responsibility for it, and I am committed to making this right. Our entire theatre community deserves better.”

LuPone won a Tony award in 2022 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for Company. Picture: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

The Broadway star currently stars in the miniseries Agatha All Along opposite Aubrey Plaza. Photo: Instagram

LuPone, 76, faced the backlash after she lambasted fellow Broadway stars Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis in her New Yorker profile published Monday.

“She’s not a friend,” LuPone said of McDonald. She also declined to share her thoughts on McDonald’s performance as Mama Rose in “Gypsy.”

In her New Yorker profile published Monday, LuPone took aim at Audra McDonald, saying she was “not a friend”. Picture: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

LuPone also called Lewis a “bitch” as she criticised her for referring to herself as a Broadway veteran.

“Let’s find out how many Broadway shows Kecia Lewis has done, because she doesn’t know what the f**k she’s talking about,” LuPone said.

“She’s done seven. I’ve done 31. Don’t call yourself a vet, b***h!”

LuPone also refused to comment on McDonald’s Tony-nominated performance in Gypsy. Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

LuPone also insulted Broadway star Kecia Lewis, calling her a “b***h”. Picture: Cindy Ord/Getty Images

McDonald later skilfully addressed her alleged feud with LuPone in a preview from her CBS Mornings interview.

“If there’s a rift between us, I don’t know what it is,” the Private Practice star said.

“That’s something you’d have to ask Patti about,” McDonald, 54, added.

Over 500 Broadway artists then came together to issue a scathing response to LuPone in an open letter shared Friday.

“Recently, Patti LuPone made deeply inappropriate and unacceptable public comments about two of Broadway’s most respected and beloved artists,” the letter read, calling LuPone’s comments “degrading and misogynistic” and “a blatant act of racialised disrespect.”

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Patti LuPone apologises after ‘bullying’ accusations from Broadway peers: ‘I made a mistake’