Ariana DeBose to host Tony Awards for third time

The actress returns for the big night for a third consecutive year and will wear three hats: host, producer, and choreographer.

A grand entrance

DeBose, a Tony nominee, previously hosted the event in 2022 and 2023. She was nominated in the Outstanding Variety Special category for her work at the 76th Annual Tony Awards. With such praise behind her, it should be a cakewalk for DeBose to take on the mantle for a third year. But she's not taking the task lightly.

DeBose is a producer for the event and will choreograph the opening number. This should be no surprise for long-time fans of the actress: she was a top 20 contestant on So You Think You Can Dance in 2009 before making her Broadway debut in 2011's Bring It On: The Musical.

Upping the ante

DeBose's body of work doesn't stop there, however. She played the Bullet as part of the ensemble cast of Hamilton, beginning her stint with the Tiny Award-winning musical since its Off-Broadway days. But her breakout role was as Anita in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of West Side Story (2021), a role that earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The achievement also saw her become the first queer woman of color to win an Oscar for acting.

DeBose's brilliance and prowess as a dancer, performer, actor, and more make her a perfect host for the Tony Awards, a ceremony that aims to recognize talent just like hers.

Watch DeBose light the stage on fire at the Tony Awards, airing on CBS on 16 June.