The Tony Awards, a night meant to celebrate the best of Broadway, was marred by chaos on the red carpet, leaving even the most high-profile attendees like Angelina Jolie waiting in the sweltering heat. The scene was described by many as “the worst red carpet of their careers,” with sources recounting a disorganized and tumultuous experience.
Angelina Jolie, accompanied by her daughter Vivienne, was among the A-listers caught in the mayhem. Despite her star status, Jolie had to endure a lengthy wait, standing in line for nearly half an hour in her elegant gown. The situation was so dire that brothers Corey and Casey Cott, who were also in line, allowed Jolie to move ahead of them.
The disarray reached a peak when security abruptly shut down the red carpet without any explanation. Sarah Paulson, a Tony winner for her role in “Appropriate,” was nearly body-checked by a security guard who aggressively announced the closure. “It was a mosh pit,” one source described. “The security guy got right in front of everyone and stretched out his arms to prevent anyone from moving and nearly body-checked Sarah Paulson to yell, ‘Carpet’s closed!’ It was unnecessarily aggressive. No one was trying to be rude or out of line.”
The chaos didn’t end there. Many attendees, including those who needed to prepare for performances, were unable to make it onto the red carpet at all. “It was a full-blown disaster,” said another source. Inside the venue, the press received a “nominees pack” that misidentified a best actress in a musical nominee, adding to the confusion and frustration.
The Broadway press, initially not invited to cover the event, eventually received invitations but felt they were treated in a condescending and dismissive manner by publicists. One publicist even got into a heated exchange with a reporter, further highlighting the disorganization of the event.
Despite the red carpet chaos, the ceremony itself went off without a hitch. The theater crowd partied late into the night at various venues, including the Carlyle and Pebble Bar. Sarah Paulson, unscathed from her near-miss, was seen enjoying the festivities with her award in hand.
Angelina Jolie, who attended the event in a stunning teal velvet Atelier Versace gown, also debuted a new tattoo. The tiny black bird in the center of her chest, symbolizing loyalty and homecoming, was prominently displayed as she posed on the red carpet. Jolie’s daughter Vivienne, dressed in a coordinating teal vest and trousers, joined her mother in supporting their Broadway musical, “The Outsiders,” which was nominated for 12 awards and won four.
The mother-daughter duo’s appearance at the Tony Awards comes a few months after they attended the opening night performance of “The Outsiders.” Vivienne, who served as a production assistant on the show, made headlines for appearing in the playbill as Vivienne Jolie, not Vivienne Jolie-Pitt. This decision follows a trend among Jolie’s children, with several of them dropping their father’s surname.
Angelina Jolie’s new tattoo joins her extensive collection of body art, which includes a massive back piece with Buddhist meanings for love, peace, and prosperity. She also has a tattoo commemorating “The Outsiders,” featuring the phrase “Stay Gold,” a reference to the book.
The Tony Awards may have been a night of celebration for Broadway, but the red carpet chaos left a lasting impression on attendees. The disorganization and aggressive security measures overshadowed the glamour of the event, making it a night to remember for all the wrong reasons.
