Overview
- Qween Jean won the Tony for Best Costume Design for Cats: The Jellicle Ball, making her the first openly transgender person to win a Tony Award.
- She received her first Tony nomination this year and was also nominated for her costume work on the play Liberation.
- In her acceptance speech Jean called the moment "monumental" and framed the win as a step toward visibility and space for queer and trans people.
- Jean built her career off Broadway, won a Lucille Lortel Award earlier this year for Saturday Church, and also designed her own Tonys gown and the dress of fellow nominee Whitney White.
- Cats: The Jellicle Ball was a major contender at the ceremony with nine nominations, and Jean’s victory could raise attention and opportunities for other queer and trans designers on Broadway.