Acceptance Speech: Kelli O'Hara (2015)

Kelli O'Hara of The King and I accepting a Tony Award for Leading Actress in a Musical during the 2015 Tony ceremony.
Broadway: Where Stars Align

[@zephyr8653]

THAT SPEECH. THAT EXIT. *BOW DOWN*

[@MrBroadway24]

I literally sob uncontrollably every time I watch this. She has fought so long and hard for this moment. The most deserving winner of all.

[@71crm]

Daniel Youngelman Yes she has! I think everyone in the audience was waiting for her to win-it was worth the wait!

[@AGZEBRA22]

I'm pretty sure she just won for best Tony Award speech ever.

[@tommytimp]

Naaahh. Michael Jeter still takes it IMO.

[@anyabrante7518]

One of the most beautiful parts of this is Ken's reaction. It says everything.

[@pascha120]

This talented Queen, beautiful cinnamon roll, AND Tony winner right here. Also King Ken Watanabe's reaction to Kelli's win.

[@brookemartin6101]

"I owe Everything, EVERYTHING TO YOU Greg Naughton!". That is such intense 💓 right there. They are a Gorgeous couple. I never got to see this on Broadway, but I've been watching the video of them performing this in the rehearsal studio and oh my gosh Kelli's acting was/is simply breathtaking.

[@ChristopherCherry02]

The cutest Tony award speech of all time. ALL time.

[@crazyguy98456978]

Kelli's Actual Speech: This Video What Kelli's Speech should have been: "It's about damn time."

[@Averia89]

I have been enamored with her since I saw her on stage as Clara in The Light in the Piazza, and now she's finally won a TONY!!! Yay!!! I am so happy.

[@Silver54ful]

Jarrel-Brannon Montgomery You saw her in The Light in the Piazza?! What I would give to have been in your shoes. Of course all of her work is splendid but I have special place in heart for that production. :)

[@MrMjolnir69]

Whoa. I saw that production. She was terrific. So was male lead, fabulous movement. Both lead couples actually. 4 of us there, industry survivors and blown away by her and the other female voice. I'll have look it up.

[@marthahurley1438]

A master class on how to give an acceptance speech! I could watch this all day. Love her so freaking much, thrilled she finally got her Tony, and will happily admit that I squealed and cried when her name was announced.

[@hpfan]

FINALLY! This was the best speech by far of the whole night!! Her performance in this show is phenomenal and breathtaking, and I'm so excited that she was finally recognized! She is class itself, and I will follow her career anywhere. She is amazing.

[@josephpalis6589]

That part where she thanked her parents and urging them not to pretend it's okay this time, got me misty eyed! Congrats, Kelli! Loved you in Light in the Piazza and I thought your Francesca from Bridges of Madison County was peerless, but big big ups for the win, the great speech and for a great exit dance. Loved NPH's expression when he exited the stage.

[@CWazBroadwayBandGeek]

Kelli so deserved that Tony. And she's just so darn adorable!!

[@michaelangel22]

She's like the Leo DiCaprio of musical theatre. She FINALLY got it! Yaaassss, Kelli! Congrats!

[@MediaLover194]

Try Kate Winslet, both won on their 6th respective nomination.

[@alexkersh5138]

MediaLover194 Or Julianne Moore

[@joegonzalez5481]

I saw the King and I on Saturday. Kelli O'Hara definitely deserved the Tony. She was fantastic!!!

[@manuelorozco7760]

I was just watching the PBS broadcast of the King & I! Kelli O Hara deserves the Tony for making Anna a beautiful role for a whole new generation.

[@mariposa8430]

i was so lucky to see this queen in Kiss Me Kate, and she was absolutely stunning- her voice in real life is even more gorgeous and awe-inspiring, and I'm really hoping that she wins another Tony this year, because she totally deserves it

[@boardkeng]

omg I saw her in Kiss Me, Kate too and I had the same idea. It seems like any video clips cannot do her justice. I once had a doubt if she could belt or if she could be a powerhouse. Luckily, during my NY trip, I happened to know she was starring in that show and BAM! her voice blew my mind it was like I had never heard her sang before. And that master-class acting plus the chemistry with Will Chase, the show was insane!!!

[@DivaRhd]

I love her!! That was the best acceptance EVER!!

[@Theaterkidhormii]

Waooooo can’t believe Ken was crying during the speech sooo sweet

[@kiwidundee2020]

OMG! Kelli, you are Heaven Sent! This heartfelt acceptance will be remembered for years to come! And, the reaction by Ken Watanabe says it all. Class has a new name, and you are it!

[@drbobbeck78]

We saw her in South Pacific and have followed Kelli's career forward and back. The King and I was glorious to see, and she was radiant. Congratulations. The acceptance speech was worth the wait.

[@swk56]

Such a deserved accolade for this talented lady!

[@francescagrace]

"I'M GONNA DO THE WORM"

[@MindenMoose]

Gotta love her!

[@simplystreeptacular]

Kelli is the purest of precious cinnamon rolls and I would Die for her.

[@SlowxParentsCrossing]

Cutest human being ever. Damn onions are making me cry

[@melischang]

I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU KELLI. Literally, if she hadn't won (again) I might have screamed.

[@franklesser5655]

She's amazing!

[@71crm]

I had a feeling this was going to be her year!

[@samb3209]

If I'm feeling down I just come here and watch this❤️

[@bobcarter4343]

What a gift to us all. Just WOW!

[@scottkrause477]

So deserved! Such talent!👍🏻

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

Why oh why doesn't the Tony channel show the announcement of the winner? I hate how almost every video starts when they're already at the podium. Take a lesson from Oscar, Tony.

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

There WAS one...it seems to have gone missing already....ggaaaahhhhh!!!

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

Yep...it's gone, I had posted it on my fb but when clicked it just now via my fb, it said it had been removed due to multiple third party copyright infringements...what does that even mean?? The user i think seemed to be an official Tony affiliated...something!! Bbboooooo!!!

[@MediaLover194]

the videos CBS posted on their page have the intros.

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

MediaLover194 Thanks!

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

ctn04132 half the fun in rewatching these wins is the announcements and reactions. I don't really care for the speeches for the most part.

[@Horsesarethebest888]

So.over.due, I'm so happy for her! Well deserved.

[@krestapollard9085]

I SHED REAL TEARS! I FRIGGIN LOVE YOU KELLI O HARA!!!

[@adaharrisonn]

The best part of this is ken being adorable :'))

[@tooveryreckless]

YAAASSS QUEEN!!!!

[@BetteDavis19]

CRYING

[@groundhogbaby2]

Why am I crying oh my gosh.

[@serenaic18]

The worm! Best ending ever.

[@michaelfox8466]

Nobody has ever deserved this more.

[@umedzu]

素晴らしい！

[@broadwaymike92]

Finally Kelli and Leonardo won the awards they deserve.

[@flannerymonaghan-morrs4740]

I love her exit! So cute!

[@monicadivino]

FINALLY :))

[@Spoiledbabe1011]

She's so cute omg

[@bway_car08]

*I'M GONNA DO THE WORM!*

[@ningsariya]

finally :-)

[@lilypoon1175]

Ken tearing up

[@elisabethnerolk2283]

hahahahah i love Kelli

[@AGo-ub8ln]

are we gonna talk about her arm muscles or

[@syoleo5129]

いいね

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

Btw...who are the crazy people voting this down????? Are you INSANE??? There are some things in this world that I wonder how people DONT like and this is one of them!! You obviously dont like Kelli and that being said...you don't know talent, and you're dead to me! Kelli is a QUEEN! #proudfellowocualum

[@Silver54ful]

Jennifer Hiemstra AHMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@artieoliverio4124]

She should have at least 4 Tony's by now

[@manuelorozco7760]

She should have won for South Pacific

[@daviwatson]

look at Kristen and Alan lol

[@artieoliverio4124]

She,

[@TheTaylor_Show]

Love her to death, she's a huge inspiration to me, always HAS been............ Beth Malone should've won...

[@raypaul9731]

completely blown away this 6 time loser actually beat the great kristin chenoweth. about as english as i am, and certainly no donna murphy. glad she finally one won after losing SO many times, but it was a beautifully imagined production of a timeless masterpiece, so i am sure that helped, along with the magnificent ruthie miles, her award so well deserved, unlike this one for the pity of losing time and time again! kc, you were robbed and you as well as the broadway fans know it.

[@raypaul9731]

ctn04132 i absolutely do get the reference, the only difference is kate IS a great actress, and can become the character. let us not forget a few years ago when this one slaughtered the most gorgeous and perfect score to arrive on broadway in years, trying, though painful to watch, to portray an italian. never great in any way!

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

I REALLY hope you realize Kelli wasn't portraying an Italian in Piazza... Morrison was playing the Italian, and if indeed that's who you're referring to, which I hope you are, yes that was nearly atrocious...apparently he did get diction coaching which...well, as anyone with Italian diction knowledge can hear, he butchered hardcore.

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

Unless you're referring to Bridges, which I can't comment on, since I didn't see it, and still haven't heard enough music from it. Which I shall now go do ;)

[@raypaul9731]

Jennifer Hiemstra hey, yes i know she was not playing an italian in piazza, and she was actually okay in role, though not great. she was trying, but not succeeding to portray the meryl streep role in bridges, and it was beyond bad. it was a shame it could not have been cast better, it was the best score broadway has seen in many years. at least the drama desk got it right this year.

[@waymilky442]

Congratulations to her! I almost started crying when I heard her name. This year's Tony Awards was perfect.

[@SoulKnightKing]

WHats insane is that i just looked at her wikipedia page. shes been nominated for 7 tonys, 2 grammys, an emmy, an olivier and other theather awards. THIS IS SOMEHOW HER ONLY COMPETITIVE WIN IN HER CAREER?!?!?!?!

[@audramcdonaldapologist3676]

I just noticed Kelli is ripped!

[@MdmeButterfication]

This is everything. Kelli, you deserve this so much! Congratulations!

[@oklahomacityuniversity]

Congrats to our wonderful alumna Kelli O'Hara! Watch her speak about her mentor Florence Birdwell here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn7Te3SteqynjrM

[@ersimn]

This was amazing, tears were shed

[@dontpugme]

ken D,:

[@chocolatesouljah]

A career I'll never understand, but that's the beauty of art, not all seers see the same energy. Howver, I am happy she is happy. She does work very hard, and seems disciplined and gracious.

[@tiberiuskirk2111]

And thank you Patti LuPone for not being nominated this year!

[@kaeleylangan3324]

I LOVE HER

[@manuelorozco7760]

I have seen her in South Pacific, The King & I and Peter Pan Live

[@PrettyEquestrianGirl]

She is amazing!