Pink opened the 79th Annual Tony Awards [1] with a Broadway-inspired performance of "Lady Marmalade" during the 2026 ceremony [3].
The performance served as a high-energy kickoff to the awards night, blending pop spectacle with traditional theater to celebrate the current season of nominees.
Pink shared the stage with guest performer Megan Thee Stallion and featured a cameo by Neil Patrick Harris [1]. The production scale was extensive, incorporating approximately 170 Broadway performers [4] to fill the stage. The spectacle was broadcast live on CBS and streamed via Paramount+ [1].
Beyond the opening number, the evening included a tribute to the musical "Chicago" to mark its 30th anniversary [1]. The event recognized the achievements of the theater community through a series of performances and awards presentations.
The "Lady Marmalade" sequence utilized a themed approach to bridge the gap between contemporary music and the theatricality of the Tony Awards. By integrating a massive ensemble of theater professionals, the opener highlighted the collaborative nature of the industry, a hallmark of the annual celebration.
“Pink opened the 79th Annual Tony Awards with a Broadway-inspired performance of "Lady Marmalade".”
The integration of global pop stars like Pink and Megan Thee Stallion into the Tony Awards reflects a continuing effort to broaden the appeal of Broadway to younger, mainstream audiences. By pairing these artists with a massive ensemble of 170 theater professionals, the production emphasizes the scale of Broadway's labor force while leveraging celebrity star power to increase viewership on platforms like Paramount+.
