At the 79th Tony Awards held at Radio City Music Hall on June 7, 2026, P!nk and Megan Thee Stallion delivered an opening number titled "Leading Lady Marmalade," a parody of the 2001 hit that originally featured P!nk alongside Lil Kim, Christina Aguilera, and Mya. The performance included cameos from Lea Michele, June Squibb, and Dylan Mulvaney, among other Broadway figures, and was supervised by P!nk, who entered as Peter Pan. According to the original report, the medley reworked the classic track to celebrate Broadway's leading ladies, with Megan Thee Stallion handling the rap verse and Lea Michele famously singing, "We don't do it for the awards," a nod to the Tonys' spirit of recognition.

How P!nk and Megan Thee Stallion Rewrote a 2001 Supergroup Hit for Broadway

The source material—"Lady Marmalade"—was already steeped in theatrical history, originating from the film Moulin Rouge!. P!nk, who had never performed on Broadway, told the press she wanted the opener to be "as Broadway as possible," as the original report notes. The revamp kept the core melody but swapped the original rap verse for a new one by Megan Thee Stallion , effectively blending pop nostalgia with contemporary hip-hop. The choice to update rather than replace highlights Broadway's ongoing reliance on familiar pop hooks to draw mainstream audiences.

Lea Michele's 'We Don't Do It for the Awards' Line Was More Than a Gag

Lea Michele, not nominated this year, appeared onstage to hit Christina Aguilera's high note but pivoted with a lyric that directly addressed the ceremony's competitive nature. The line, "We don't do it for the awards," was a pointed jab at awards culture, delivered by a star who has faced her own scrutiny in the past. As reported, the moment was meant to emphasize the Tonys' focus on community over competition. Whether that sentiment resonates beyond the stage is an open question—especially given that the awards are, in fact, the point of the evening.

Why the 79th Tonys Bet on 'Lady Marmalade' Over Original Show Tunes

The decision to anchor the 2026 Tonys with a pop cover rather than an original Broadway medley is a telling one. according to the source, the performance was "a joyful reminder of the intersection between pop music and theater." But it also signals a broader trend: major awards shows increasingly bank on viral moments and recognizable IP to retain viewership. For the Tonys, which have struggled to compete with the Grammys and Oscars in ratings, leaning on P!nk and Megan Thee Stallion is a calculated gamble. Still unclear is whether any new Broadway shows were directly highlighted during the number, or if the homage overshadowed the season's original productions.

June Squibb's Mic Drop: The Oldest Nominee's Crowd-Pleasing Turn

June Squibb, the oldest acting nominee at this year's ceremony, made a brief but memorable appearance when the microphone was passed to her. The original report notes that she earned cheers from the audience. Squibb's inclusion was a nod to the breadth of Broadway's talent pool, but it also raises questions about how the show balances veteran performers with rising stars like Megan Thee Stallion. her moment was a charming aside, but it didn't clarify whether the Tonys have a structured plan to highlight both legacy and new voices throughout the entire broadcast.

What remains unanswered about the opening number includes specifics about choreography and direction—the source attributes supervision to P!nk but doesn't name a choreographer or musical director. Additionally, the report doesn't clarify whether any portions were pre-taped or how the cameos were coordinated. These details, while minor, matter for audiences curious about the production's logistics.