Idina Menzel wins 2004 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical

Idina Menzel wins the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Elphaba in Wicked.

[@alika207]

"This is something we built together and I love you!" If that doesn't prove Kristin and Idina are friends, I don't know what will.

[@isabelerhart9523]

Yes same

[@traviscouplin8847]

That proves that Kristin and Idina kept that friendship going and they still made the show spectacular and it became one of the best popular musical shows ever.

[@Mia_M]

This is adorable. I love that she's crying too. Taye was crying too. And Kristin looked so happy for her.

[@alexmeyer5260]

It's too bad the two of them got divorced.

[@goldiekae]

Alex Meyer i heard that they're still in contact, they don't make a drama of it I saw a video of Idina singing in a little location for an event and Taye was there, i just don't think they have serious problems cause the both are too mature and strong

[@hewodoge6620]

JMoonrise yeah I agree

[@sameg633]

You can see she wasn't expecting to win, i'm crying this is the cutest thing i've ever seen. She deserved this so much. She is so sweet and inspirational, god bless this woman.

[@remyfacade]

no one expected her to win and she should not have. I like Idina but that should have been Tonya's

[@sameg633]

That's YOUR opinion, she totally deserved to win and no one? Please.

[@remyfacade]

SamEG How many time did you see her perform in the show, and the other women who were nominated?

[@brianjones8432]

"no one expected her to win" Considering the fact that the applause was so much stronger when she was announced among the nominees, I would say it was pretty clear the audience expected it. :)

[@eljordinio7647]

The part where Kristin mouthed "thank you" was just adorable

[@sabrinatompkins9559]

I loved seeing how happy kristen was for her. It was so sweet.

[@AtlanticGiantPumpkin]

I love how much Kristin’s face lights up for Idina for her first Tony, and everyone in that company is so happy for her to win her first Tony.

[@SDoesNotKnow]

This was a really strong year. Idina didn't expect to win because Donna Murphy was winning all of the other awards that year for her turn in Wonderful Town. Tonya Pinkins was a spoiler and gave an incredible and emotionally-raw performance (from an underrated but brilliant show). Out of the Wicked women, it was actually Kristin Chenoweth who got all the best reviews from the critics who made sure to mention her excellent acting skills. Idina had the stronger songs though. Stephanie d'Abruzzo was a surprise nominee and she didn't expect to even be nominated although she was very deserving of the award too.

[@westasia10]

Thanks for the rundown. This was really interesting to read!

[@mourningdove5591]

Awwwww, Kristen looked so happy for her

[@philskala8938]

She is such a selfless joy. Such a humble heart

[@eljordinio7647]

Loved when Cheno mouthed "thank u" during Idina's speech

[@fisharefwends]

She looked so nervous when they were announcing her as a nominee! So Glad she won this one, should have won for if/then too

[@zoelopez1426]

I love Idina and I think she derved to win. Her speech will forever make me cry, how sweet and inspiring the speech is

[@GabrielleMarie]

I'm sorry this is the cutest thing ever!!

[@tishagaleaxx]

Definitely

[@tomelifeisjustonebig]

Ah yes. Adele Dazeem. Thoroughly deserved.

[@LilyGrace95]

I actually have tears in my eyes. She's so genuinely overwhelmed by this! I love Idina Menzel so much, she's a huge inspiration to me...

[@c0llapsingst4rs]

when Kristens name was called you could see just how proud idina was sitting behind her. she was so happy for her, and those are the kind of friends i want.

[@izahieatt3648]

Kristin is so happy for her. This just melts my heart. I love their friendship. They’re truly the best Glinda and Elphaba ever. So much love. I can’t handle it. 💖💚

[@reembanna1936]

I love that Kristen was actually happy for her, like you can really see that she's really happy to have a friend like Idina, and I love how Idina mentioned Kristen. They really do have a strong bond

[@carihigdon3263]

Watching Taye Diggs look so excited for her kind of hurts now...

[@climbinguphill]

Yea, it really does.

[@themangle6022]

Why?

[@climbinguphill]

The Mangle™ Because Idina and Taye have since gotten divorced

[@allisonthecat]

I think they still love and care for each other still know but yes they have grown apart a bit and are more friends then lovers and friends now true.

[@NairAthul]

@@climbinguphill he cheated on her right?

[@OnceUponATimeAddict]

I can't explain how much I love this woman! She won a Tony Award for Wicked, and her voice won Frozen's Let It Go it's Oscar. A true legend in her own right!

[@hennessygarciahg]

Yes, amen. She is a legend and an icon.

[@hakunamattata437]

Even though they aren't together anymore, it still makes me tear up every time I watch this. And believe me I've watched this a lot.

[@iAmMadeOfSoup]

hakunamattata437 at least they're still friends, co parent, and have found other people

[@pbscraze]

Life goes on

[@kristymarshall4894]

I love how she thanks literally everyone! She is so amazing! She really deserved it!

[@eljordinio7647]

Awww Cheno looked so happy for her! That's how u should b at the Tony awards. Whether u get one or not u should still b happy for ur fellow co stars and actors who are lucky enough to receive a Tony. That bit where she mouthed "thank you" was adorable! Really shows how close Kristin and Idina are

[@KryptoniteStuff]

She's genuinely excited, and it's heart warming. Bless her heart.

[@andineffable]

This is like the sweetest cutest thing ever. She is so full of infectious emotion and it's an absolutely beautiful speech. She is an amazing woman.

[@JeanineBruen]

Kristen is pure sunshine. Idina radiates star power-truly so unique. What a legendary team. Icons of musical theatre history. ❤

[@TheBlueStar16]

She deserves this sooooo much she is just pure amazing

[@juanalbertoriosseminario7531]

Okay. THIS is the cutest thing i've ever seen. Like for real.

[@alexdeleon7829]

This is the MOST iconic speech I have ever seen!!! I love you Idina Menzel, I hope to meet you in person! I can’t wait to tell you all about myself! I swear, we will both laugh, cry, and smile! I am anticipating to see you then!

[@meaganodell4479]

I personally feel that Elphaba, is a lead role, whilst Glinda/s character is also a lead I feel it could be a secondary lead or supporting role. Since the story is after all about Elphaba. Just my opinion.

[@meaganodell4479]

+ctn04132 right?

[@meaganodell4479]

+ctn04132 yeah i saw last night same with the Leslie Odom Jr. to me he wasnt the lead Hamilton was so why nominated with Lin-Manuel Maranda.

[@lansadequipe8284]

i don't agree - i saw Hamilton too, and to me, Burr was clearly the lead - so was Hamilton too, but it's a a tie. Burr isn't a featured actor in Hamilton. But, as far as i'm concerned, Eliza and Angelica are both featured actresses.

[@jasonc.parker4644]

The criteria for whether a person is considered for Featured or Lead is about billing, not role size. The rule is, if a person is billed above the title of a show, they are considered a lead. All others are considered featured. The producers of the show can petition the TONY nominating committee to have a peformer moved into the other category, but it's up to their discretion. It's not the best rule, and has caused some pretty strange results. Probably the most famous example is Tammy Grimes winning Featured Actress for "The Unsinkable Molly Brown"- where she played Molly Brown, who is obviously the led character.

[@meaganodell4479]

Jason C. Parker see and that is bizarre. If the actor or actress is playing main role and is nominated it should be for the lead not featured. So wierd. I had never heard of Leslie Odom jr or Daveed Diggs, but I sure knew who Lin Manuel Miranda and Renee Goldsberry were. I just think it was a travesty to put Leslie Odom Jr as the lead when he clearly was not and the title of the play/muscal was Hamilton, not Burr. 3/4 of the songs were about Hamilton not Burr, so I disagree it was about him. Yes he won in the end but it was a play of Hamilton and his life.

[@christinan2300]

she deserves it, she is an amazing singer/actress!!! :)

[@micnmat]

This orchestral version or No One Mourns The Wicked is gorgeous

[@Kinochan28]

She thank so many people and was so excited that you can stop thinking how adorable this is !

[@elphiedefyinggravity2344]

I started crying halfway the video. Also, my mother gets very angry at me when I repeat a word many times and now I've realised Idina does it too (the "and and and..."). I won't let her change that in me now!

[@alika207]

We all do it.

[@AshaEll]

awww this made me cry, and this is the kind of respect she deserves so I am still mad at Travolta for his ignorance.

[@idk-oh2ix]

She looks like she's going to cry and then pass out from the happiness. How adorable.

[@whysoserious2518]

She is the sweetest person I have ever seen

[@FabinhoFlapp]

Idina, blessed actress and singer. A legendary performance by a real DIVA! Flawless and unforgettable. 🍾💫

[@dannysimion]

What a fantastic group of actresses in 2004! Nice!

[@Jo-vq6vg]

OH MY GOSH I HAVE TEARS RUNNING DOWN MY FACE!I ABSOLUTELY LOVE INDINA MENZEL!

[@madstoned00]

You spelt her name wrong I absolutely am obsessed with idina menzel!!!!!

[@jasmynjohnson4346]

Imagining that moment brings me to tears. Theatre is the one place where I truly feel like anyone can become bigger than themselves

[@alexmeyer5260]

I will finally be seeing Wicked for the very first time as the show's tour comes to my city in a few weeks.

[@Sakina1222]

The most well deserved tony every awarded!

[@tomgallowitz4464]

+Sakina1222 That and Kelli O'Hara's this year.

[@avengedpoisonromance]

forever my queen

[@shelobfirexx]

she got biceps

[@Dangansona]

There should of been 2 of these acceptance speeches to watch...

[@dwanepetersalandy9723]

She deserved to win last night too.

[@jboao]

RENEÉ!!!! Love her.... such sweet times. Let’s go back right now

[@mischievouskittycrafts6598]

Who else didn't expect to cry but did anyway watching her speech

[@estelaramos9478]

If I ever win a Tony this will be me except there will be tons of more sobbing and tears.

[@SiljeLiumMusic]

This is SO sweet!!! 💚

[@bridiemolloy8643]

I feel like you can tell she wanted to win but didn't want to win if Kristin wasn't going to win as well

[@B3ntzer]

I would've brought Kristin Chenoweth with me on stage.

[@That_Ozian]

B3ntzer same

[@CountryCowboy008]

That would've been embarrassing....

[@sandi22_20]

@@CountryCowboy008 truee

[@stephaniesitler6241]

💯

[@YourHighwayInTheSky]

well that's why you're sitting at home and not winning tony awards

[@taliafisher1048]

I saw taye mouth 'i love you idina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

[@HeyItsSarah30]

Love me some Idina ☺️

[@armandoalvarez4585]

Idina looks like if she were Rachel Berry from Glee and she would won a Tony 😭

[@traviscouplin8847]

Now that, was a very fantastic beautiful emotional speech 😊😊 she really does deserve it very much, and a very good deed, glad Tate and Kristin were there and very proud, the two talented best friends still made the show very fantastic and extraordinary, Idina, good job 👍 for winning the The Best Actress at the Tonys, the Original Broadway Cast is still the best, the last part of Defying Gravity was really good, you very killed it, and very glad that Kristin was there and people who made the musical, gave a cheerful 😀 cheer, 👏👏👏👏, once again, Wicked is the best musical that ever was, it’s a good thing that The Wizard Of Oz has a good prequel backstory, and that speech was fantastic and very moving and very proud😭😊👍, to Kristin and Idina, the two talented actresses and singers, and two best friends, who made the musical very spectacular and extraordinary, the choreography, the flying, and everything fantastic, & finally the original cast did an excellent job too, to you, your musical will make a very fantastic musical movie 🎥 and everyone can’t wait to see it. Stay strong 💪 and keep the friendship that you girls have growing, Defy and Rise. 👏👏😭❤️❤️❤️❤️🎶🎶🎥🤩

[@amycarcaterra8177]

agree plus thanking crew and everyone behind the scenes was remarkable

[@mzlania5459]

Awwww

[@kathleenwoodruff9826]

Idina u are AMAZING, love you soooooo much! :-)

[@MrsSeverusSnape123]

i'm crying so much. i love her she's the ultimate queen xxx

[@emmapartin1513]

So much poise!

[@estelaramos9478]

Taye and Kristin And 1:34 are the cutest thing ever

[@jonathanroberts6434]

Always thought he was soooo cute

[@swdancerfilms547]

awww Kristen looked so happy!

[@matheusborges9341]

If Kristin had been nominated for supporting role she could have gotten It. Anyway, her happiness towards Idina was outstanding

[@thealexandrapalma]

I am in tears!!! I love her so much

[@iAmMadeOfSoup]

I love how Taye and Kristin both kiss her

[@alika207]

Isn't it sad that this speech probably would have been cut short if she had won the award now? People only have a certain amount of time to give speeches these days, it seems. Am I right about that?

[@bubi1716]

I blame it on the commercials, the productivity of CBS, and the Tony committee putting together the show. They need sponsorship so they run commercials longer. CBS basically get to call the shots since they're the ones who air the show, and the committee are the ones who put them together. Seems like the opening of the Tonys are longer now. Remember 2012's huge number with NPH? It was literally 8 minutes long. Then the audience was applauding for a good 5 minutes after that. It makes the time get cut shorter and shorter which doesn't give enough time for the winners to give a speech.

[@carapeterson4643]

This is so powerful

[@fan_girl21]

I LOVE HERRRRR

[@kerryflora8772]

MA HEART😭😭😭

[@traviscouplin8847]

Oh, and a very good job 👍 on the movie 🎥 RENT, that was a good musical, 🎶No day but today🎶🎶

[@waymilky442]

Why did I start tearing up a bit? I hope she'll get her second Tony this year.

[@ThePinkKiwi1995]

Taye looks so proud :)

[@daniellahaastrup5086]

I'm crying

[@maiawong9703]

Bro this made me cry

[@tonakings7600]

Idina I love you!! You are my role model!!

[@xs0528]

Good Lord, Idina’s got muscles!

[@sheldox]

Why is she so cute T.T

[@veiledhaha7001]

Me and u are so late for this😂😂😂

[@mariannav6931]

I'm crying right now. I don't know why.

[@icesk8mike]

YAAAAAAS MAMA

[@GamingSaturnMoonManBoy]

I don’t really like Wicked but I do like Idina Menzel

[@igorribeiro8780]

Renne zellweger é lindaaa

[@justinn9342]

the way she walked omg

[@panchish]

im lichrally crying rn

[@reembanna1936]

I also like hiw she started to thank everyone 😂😂😂

[@elephantbluepeter]

I wish Cynthia Erivo was playing Celie in the upcoming movie musical version of "The Color Purple" instead of Fantasia and Idina Menzel was playing Elphaba in the film version of "Wicked" instead of Cynthia Erivo.

[@aneesakhan037]

Nice 👍

[@edgarvinicius1765]

she deserved so much, for me always the best elphaba, nobody replaces her sorry

[@dannysimion]

I love how Wicked novel captures Elphaba in a light that makes her the swan song of the Land of Oz and her demise in years to come with the appearance of Dorothyl

[@kathleenwoodruff9826]

idina you are apsolutly amazig on Broadway. love you!❤

[@IDontWantThisStupidHandle]

I mean, could it really have gone to anyone else that year? Even Chenoweth, whom I love for many of her roles, to include Galinda of course, could not have gotten that Tony instead of Menzel (maybe concurrently, but Elphaba was of course the more important role of that musical).

[@peterd.6579]

See, Dazeems *do* come true!

[@hewodoge6620]

They both were good I mean both by idina and Kristen

[@kerryflora8772]

NAHHH IM CRYING IDINA AND KRISTEN😭😭

[@clifordtinguha5012]

look at those shoulders!!! and those biceps too

[@Elphaba88]

i LOVE HER! . . . and takes a bow! :-)

[@vegasbaby3669]

Rachel Berry’s mom!

[@brittanyantonellis2940]

Does anyone know where I can find this typed out? I need it for school and I reaaallllyyy don't want to sit here and attempt to write it.

[@jacobgarrity9055]

And the Tony Award goes to Queen Elsa from Wicked

[@SuperJNG18]

She absolutely deserved it, 100%, but let's not forget how badass it is that Stephanie D'Abruzzo, one of the greatest actresses and puppeteers of the last 25 years, was also in the running. At least for a hot minute she was in the company she's always deserved to be in.

[@Vagabonding_i_guess]

They should’ve gave Tony’s to both Idina and Kristen

[@xs0528]

Hey, ya! Good point.

[@jordanryanfilmmaking]

Congrats to Adele Dezeem!!

[@nothingfornothing1836]

She deserved the award fare and square

[@ooscardls]

She will win for If/Then

[@caseanthony9950]

Well....

[@caseanthony9950]

Well....