Is Oprah Winfrey shading Patti LuPone? while presenting at the 2025 Tony Awards, the former talk show host appeared to allude to Patty's recent comments about Keisha Lewis and Audra McDonald. This three had weeks of public tension.

Audra was nominated for her performance in gypsy in the category Oprah was presenting for and in her monolog, Oprah says this, "astounding year in live theater turns to the women whose work sparked lively conversations among theater fans",

She then paused and added with a sly expression, “Lotta talking going on!” The comment drew laughter from the audience and viewers quickly interpreted the comments as being aimed at Patty. Back in a May 26 interview with The New Yorker, Patty told Keisha to not call herself a Broadway veteran, and said Audra was not a friend. 

When asked what she thought of Audra's current run as rose in gypsy, a role that Patty won a Tony for 17 years ago, Patty stared out the window for 15 seconds before turning to say what a beautiful day. 

Audra later shared that she was not aware that she and Patty even had a rift during an interview with Gayle King on CBS mornings May 29 Audra said, I don't if there's a rift between us, it's, I don't know what it is that's something that you'd have to ask Patty about. 

You know, I haven't seen her in about 11 years, just because I've been busy just with life and stuff. So I don't know what rift she's talking About, but you have to ask Her.