Kara Young’s Record-Breaking Streak at the Tonys
Spotlight’s on Kara Young—and for good reason. At the 2025 Tony Awards, she pulled off something no other Black actor has accomplished: Kara Young scooped up Tony gold in the same category for a second straight year. This time, she clinched Best Featured Actress in a Play for her standout performance as Aziza Houston in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ biting family drama Purpose. Last year, it was her scene-stealing turn in Purlie Victorious that earned her the trophy. Back-to-back wins at the Tonys are rare enough; becoming the very first Black actor—across all categories—to do it raises the bar.
Young isn’t just having a moment. She’s riding a wave. Since 2022, she’s earned four consecutive Tony nominations, first popping up for her role in Clyde’s, then the moving Cost of Living, and of course, last year’s career-defining Purlie Victorious. This recent win cements her as one of Broadway’s most reliable and transformative actors, staking her claim in a field that’s only now recognizing a wider range of talent and stories.
‘Purpose’ Shines at the 2025 Tony Awards
In Purpose, Kara Young plays a sharp-witted outsider who upends family dynamics, all under the direction of longtime Broadway legend Phylicia Rashad. The show itself made quite a splash with six Tony nominations. Alongside Young, big names like LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Jon Michael Hill, and Harry Lennix also grabbed acting nods. Clearly, this isn’t just Kara’s victory—it’s a moment for the entire ensemble and creative team.
Young’s win feels especially significant amid the broader push for inclusivity on Broadway. While the Tonys have been slow on the uptake—think about how long it took for Black artists to be regularly recognized—this moment signals real change. For young actors watching from the wings, Young’s journey is both a playbook and a promise.
But she isn’t slowing down. Next up, Kara Young tackles another major project: she’ll headline The Whoopi Monologues with Kerry Washington. This fresh reimagining of Whoopi Goldberg’s 1984 solo show has Whitney White taking the reins as director and heads for a debut at Lincoln Center Theater in July 2026. If history is any guide, expect Kara to be back in the awards conversation sooner rather than later.
The 2025 Tony ceremony had more big names stepping into the spotlight. Michael Arden scored Best Direction of a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending, further boosting his Broadway track record. And costume designer Paul Tazewell, already riding high from his Oscar win for Wicked, added another Tony for his work on Death Becomes Her. Broadway fans have a lot to celebrate this season—but few stories pack the punch of Kara Young’s epic two-year victory lap.