Cynthia Erivo opened the 2025 Tony Awards with a dazzling performance… but it was her choice of ensemble that has truly caught everyone’s attention.
The actress and singer, 38, displayed her amazing vocals as she kicked off the show by singing an original song called Sometimes All You Need Is a Son.
It contained clever tributes to many of the nominated Broadway shows sprinkled throughout the lyrics and a slew of backup singers who added a gospel touch.
Cynthia – who is hosting the star-studded event – opted for a sparkly, floor-length red dress for the performance, which contained a white belt and collar.
Fans were quick to notice a small detail about the stunning gown that left them emotional.
Many theorized the ensemble had a hidden meaning behind it and that gave a nod to an iconic Broadway show.
Viewers rushed to X, formerly Twitter, to point out that the dress looked just like the red gown that the titular character wears in the beloved musical Annie.
‘Cynthia Erivo looking like Annie I think I am gonna like it here,’ one user wrote.
Cynthia Erivo opened the 2025 Tony Awards with a dazzling performance… but it was her choice of ensemble that has truly caught everyone’s attention
Viewers rushed to X, formerly Twitter, to point out that the dress Cynthia wore looked just like the red gown that the titular character wears in the beloved musical Annie
‘Cynthia in this little orphan Annie fit,’ added another.
‘Anyone else see it?’ asked someone else alongside a side-by-side of Cynthia on stage and Annie in the 1982 film.
‘Thought she was dressed kind of like Santa for a hot minute before I realized it is more likely a nod to Annie,’ read a fourth tweet.
A different person joked that the dress was ‘giving sexy orphan Annie.’
Cynthia drew a mixed reaction from the performance, with some fans calling it electrifying and others branding it cringeworthy.
Others slammed Oprah Winfrey for ‘crashing’ Cynthia’s moment.
The 38-year-old had just begun her walk from backstage to center stage when Oprah suddenly appeared onscreen to offer her support.
The iconic TV host even referenced Cynthia’s now-viral finger-holding moment with Ariana Grande during last year’s Wicked promo tour.
Cynthia – who is hosting the star-studded event – opted for a sparkly, floor-length red dress for the performance, which contained a white belt and collar
Many theorized that the ensemble had a hidden meaning behind it and that gave a nod to the iconic Broadway show Annie
Fans discussed the similarities in droves on social media
But viewers slammed her involvement as ‘unnecessary’ and distracting.
‘Oprah had to ruin the moment. Of course she had to put herself in the beginning #TonyAwards,’ one frustrated fan posted.
Another chimed in, ‘Oprah was unnecessary #TonyAwards.’
And a third wrote bluntly, ‘Why does Oprah have to be in everything?’
The Tony Awards kicked off at 8pm and is honoring the biggest stars and shows on Broadway.
It will feature a slew of dazzling performances from some of the hottest shows of the year – as well as an emotional reunion from the original Hamilton cast in honor of the 10th anniversary.
While some stars wowed in glamorous dresses and stunning looks on the red carpet before hand, others completely missed the mark with their ensembles.
Cynthia, as well as A-listers like Katie Holmes, Sarah Paulson, and Megan Hilty all made DailyMail.com’s worst dressed list.
