Bette Midler refused to be played off at the Tonys, and it’s everything
To see a true diva in action, you need look no further than Bette Midler at last night’s Tony awards.
Despite not performing at yesterday’s awards ceremony, Bette Midler did pick up the gong for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Hello, Dolly! The legendary star of stage and screen was in attendance to pick up her award — her second Tony — and behaved in a typically legendary and divaish fashion.
While giving her acceptance speech, Bette Midler refused to be played off by the orchestra, and it was everything.
The 71-year-old star took to the stage, where she thanked the Tony voters, before quipping, “many of whom I’ve actually dated.” Midler continued to thank those involved with the current production of Hello, Dolly! before going on to offer her thanks to the women who had come before and after her.
Watch @BetteMidler's (amazing) #TonyAwards acceptance speech https://t.co/IzCPrnZDhI pic.twitter.com/dkxNzM69zw
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 12, 2017
Indeed, Midler even went on to talk about the concept of the word “revival,” but not before the orchestra tried to play her off before she could finish. Luckily, she had the greatest response. When the music started to play, Midler said, “Shut that crap off!”
👑👑👑#TonyAwards2017 pic.twitter.com/7ki4275Qk9
— broadway.com (@broadwaycom) June 12, 2017
The diva continued on, finishing what she then had to say.
"I just want to say that ‘revival’ is an interesting word. It means something was near death and was brought back to life. Hello, Dolly! never really went away. It’s in our DNA. It’s optimism. It’s democracy. It’s color. It’s hilarity," she said. "This is a classic: come and see it. It’s not just me. This thing has the ability to lift your spirits in these terrible times.
Indeed, USA Today reports that Midler continued her thank-you speech while in the press room, finishing it all by shouting:
"Bette Midler for president."
She closed by yelling "BETTE MIDLER FOR PRESIDENT" I can't go on pic.twitter.com/ogrCpMuwhS
— Maeve McDermott (@maeve_mcdermott) June 12, 2017
She later took to Twitter to thank even more people she’d missed in both speeches.
In all the pandemonium tonight I neglected to thank the brilliant ensemble of "Hello Dolly", whom I adore. Please forgive me kids! I'm old!
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) June 12, 2017
Hello, Dolly! picked up the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Midler may be a diva, but you can’t say she hasn’t earned it.
