Full Breakdown
Qween Jean Makes History as First Openly Trans Person to Win a Tony
6/8/2026, 10:46:09 PM
Historic Tony Win
On June 7 2026, at the 79th Tony Awards in Radio City Music Hall, costume designer Qween Jean won Best Costume Design of a Musical for *Cats: The Jellicle Ball*, becoming the first openly transgender Tony recipient. She also received a nomination for Best Costume Design of a Play for *Liberation*.
Background
Jean, a Haitian-born activist in New York, founded Black Trans Liberation, which serves about 15,000 transgender and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers each year through weekly meals. She previously earned a Lucille Lortel Award for *Saturday Church* and a Drama Desk Award for *Cats: The Jellicle Ball*.
Production
*Cats: The Jellicle Ball* opened at the Broadhurst Theatre in April 2026 as a ballroom-inspired reinterpretation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical. Directed by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, choreographed by Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles, the show featured about 500 costumes referencing trans icons. It earned nine Tony nominations and won Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Costume Design of a Musical.
Official Statements
In the pre-show “The Tony Awards: Act One,” Jean thanked voters, highlighted the win’s significance for queer and trans communities, and urged collective action on societal challenges. She condemned the Newark Delaney Facility and immigration enforcement, calling for investigations and the shutdown of detention centers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This experience has been monumental.” — Qween Jean, Costume Designer
- “We are here for the legacy of queer people, trans people. We are taking up space in ways we have to take up space. We have to shift the paradigm.” — Qween Jean
- “The world right now is deeply, deeply combating so many ailments, and we know as a society that when we come together, we can make real, permanent change.” — Qween Jean
- “As a queer person, a leader, a mother, I will never stand quiet. If any woman is in pain, even if her shackles are different from mine, let’s get unshackled.” — Qween Jean
Why It Matters
Jean’s win expands transgender visibility on Broadway, following earlier nonbinary Tony recipients, and may influence hiring and storytelling. The achievement also highlights Black Trans Liberation’s community work, linking artistic recognition with social support.
Key Figures
- Qween Jean – Costume designer, founder of Black Trans Liberation.
- Black Trans Liberation – Serves about 15,000 transgender and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers annually.
- Zhailon Levingston & Bill Rauch – Directors of *Cats: The Jellicle Ball*.
- Arturo Lyons & Omari Wiles – Choreographers.
- Bess Wohl – Playwright of *Liberation*.
