Qween Jean made history as the first openly trans person to win a Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical.
Key facts
- •Qween Jean won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical for Cats: The Jellicle Ball.
- •Jean is the first openly trans person to win a Tony Award in the awards' 79-year history.
- •She was twice nominated on Sunday, also for Best Costume Design of a Play for Liberation.
- •Jean is one of the founders of Black Trans Liberation.
- •There have been several non-binary Tony winners, including Cole Escola and Alex Newell.
Qween Jean, costume designer of Broadway's Cats: The Jellicle Ball, won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical. The award was given during the pre-show on Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall. Jean is the first openly trans person to win a Tony Award in the awards' 79-year history.
Acceptance Speech
In her acceptance speech, Jean said, 'This experience has been monumental... We are here for the legacy of queer people, trans people. We are taking up space in ways we have to take space.' Jean also mentioned the importance of coming together as a society to make real change. She highlighted the need for serious investigation into the detention of queer people and young folks, and for resources to be used to help people instead of being poured into institutions of destruction.
Background and Nominations
Jean was twice nominated on Sunday, for Best Costume Design of a Musical for Cats and for Best Costume Design of a Play for Liberation. She also designed her own Tony Awards gown. Jean is one of the founders of Black Trans Liberation.
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Rolling Stone.
