Ariana DeBose on Why the 2024 Tony Awards May Be Her Last Time Hosting “for a While”

While Ariana DeBose enjoys hosting the Tony Awards, she’s ready for a break to focus on other passions.

The Oscar-winning actress, who’s hosting the ceremony for the third time on Sunday, recently told People magazine that she’s looking to make her Broadway return.

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“I am really craving being back on stage, in a larger way than simply hosting the Tonys,” she said. “And for that reason, this will probably be one of the last times I host for a while, so someone else can hold the ropes.”

Before making her way into film, which included her Oscar-winning role in 2021’s West Side Story, DeBose began her career in theater with productions such as Hamilton and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical — the latter of which scored her a Tony nomination for her role as Disco Donna.

Ahead of the 2024 awards ceremony, which recognizes achievement in Broadway productions, the Argylle actress admitted the pressure of leading theater’s biggest night never goes away.

“Oh, every year I want to throw up,” she said. “I’m not going to lie. I have a trash can waiting in the wings.”

“I never in a million years thought I’d host the Tony Awards. That was not in any sort of plan that I saw for myself. And last year I was so nervous. I paced for a solid 30 minutes by myself,” DeBose added. “I’ve never done that in the history of my performing career.”

DeBose also knows the responsibility she holds as host to help bring new eyes to the theater.

“The Tony Awards is a very important moment for the Broadway community, and a night that has real economic impact on how this industry functions,” she explained. “So it feels like a sacred responsibility to be there to show what they have to offer, and something I don’t take lightly.”

The actress continued, “There’s such a vast variety of talent and creativity on display on these stages. There’s truly no place like Broadway. And I’m grateful that I have even a fraction of the platform that I hold to try and be a helpful entity.”

The 77th Annual Tony Awards air June 16 on CBS and Paramount+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Find the complete list of nominees here.

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