Tony Awards Make History: All Four Musical Acting Categories Go to People of Color

The Tony Awards made history Sunday night by bestowing all four of its musical acting honors on performers of color.

Three Hamilton castmembers and one star of The Color Purple made their mark on the 70th annual awards show and etched their names in Broadway’s history books.

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Leslie Odom Jr. earned the best actor in a leading role in a musical award for his performance in Hamilton; Daveed Diggs scored best actor in a featured role in a musical for Hamilton; Renee Elise Goldsberry took home best actress in a featured role in a musical for Hamilton; and Cynthia Erivo received the best actress in a leading role in a musical award for The Color Purple.

The Tony Awards shared the historic moment with a celebratory tweet: “For the first time in #TonyAwards history, all four musical acting awards have gone to people of color.”

Hamilton was a big winner at Sunday’s awards, earning a historic 16 nominations and taking home 11 Tonys, including for best musical.

James Corden hosted the 70th annual Broadway awards show, which aired live on CBS from New York City’s Beacon Theatre.

For the first time in #TonyAwards history, all four musical acting awards have gone to people of color.

— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) June 13, 2016