Qween Jean Makes History as First Trans Woman to Win a Tony Award: ‘We Have to Shift the Paradigm’

Qween Jean made history on Pride Month by being the first openly trans woman to win a Tony Award. She won the category for best costume design for a musical because of her work in Cats: The Jellicle Ball. In light of her historic win, she had a message to share during the awards.

Qween Jean went on stage with a handcrafted pink mermaid gown with ruffles at the tail end. The dress was made by Jean herself, highlighting her genius in the craft.

“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 up space. We have to shift the paradigm,” Jean said during her acceptance speech. Based in New York City, the designer is also an LGBTQ+ activist.

She proceeded to give her thanks but continued to remind the audience of the importance of fighting for societal change.

“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,” she concluded. Before Jean, Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee, who are both non-binary, have also made hallmark victories by winning a Tony Award in 2023. However, Jean’s win represents the possibility for trans people to reach insurmountable heights in the creative industry.

Cats: The Jellicle Ball takes the Tony Awards by storm

During the First Impressions segment of the Tony Awards, Qween Jean looked visibly overwhelmed by her win.

She said, “It feels monumental to be here in this community as a proud trans woman that is showing up every day on the stage and in the streets for all people—it feels monumental.”

Jordan Fisher, who was interviewing Jean post-win, reacted, “I think you already know the impact that you’ve been part of making on this community. We were just talking about it earlier. We’re all gagged over Cats for a myriad of reasons.”

Cats: The Jellicle Ball also won in Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography at the Tony Awards. The win is one for the LGBTQ+ community, as the play itself celebrates queer culture. Set in a vogue ballroom, the cats had to sing and dance their way through several categories to win—much like how any drag queen would in a real ball. For the play to win multiple Tony Awards at a time where gender nonconforming and transgender identities are under siege in the United States appears to be a beacon of hope.

Qween Jean on Injustice

“We’re in a really unprecedented time, where there’s so much violence and horror that’s happening. And I especially think about what’s happening across the street in Newark, New Jersey, at Delaney Hall. There are so many people being detained there without due process, without a judge, so it’s just very horrific that these things are happening and that people are silent,” Jean said. She does not shy away from the difficult subject, despite currently being at the award show.

“I really just urge folks to do as much as we can to shut down Delaney Hall and to end all oppression against immigrants. I’m an immigrant,” Jean said as a reminder. She was born in Haiti before her family settled in Miami, Florida. Jean is of the belief that artists have the obligation to use their voices to speak up against injustice—and there’s no better time for her than now, especially as a newly minted Tony Award winner.

(featured image: Associated Press)

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]