Qween Jean Wins Best Costume Design of a Musical, Becomes First Openly Transgender Person to Win a Tony Award
Qween Jean made history at the 2026 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 7, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, becoming the first openly transgender person to win a Tony Award. The costume designer and LGBT+ rights activist won Best Costume Design of a Musical for her work on Cats: The Jellicle Ball, marking a milestone moment for Broadway and for trans representation in theater.
In her acceptance speech during the pre-show segment The Tony Awards: Act One, Jean described the moment as “monumental” and spoke about the importance of visibility for queer and trans people. She said the community is “taking up space” and called for a shift in the cultural paradigm, thanking the audience for the honor and noting that the world is facing many challenges but can still create lasting change when people come together.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball had a strong night overall at the Tony Awards, earning multiple wins beyond Jean’s historic costume design victory. Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch won Best Direction of a Musical, while Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons received Best Choreography for the production. The show was also recognized with several nominations, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for Andre De Shields, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Sound Design of a Musical, and Best Orchestrations.
Jean was also nominated separately for Best Costume Design of a Play for her work on Liberation, highlighting her range across major stage productions. Her Tony win adds to a night that already featured other historic moments, while also underscoring the growing visibility and recognition of transgender artists in mainstream entertainment.
The achievement has drawn attention not only for its cultural significance, but also for the broader impact it may have on representation in the performing arts. For many viewers and industry figures, Jean’s win stands as a landmark moment in Tony Awards history and a celebration of creativity, resilience, and inclusion on Broadway.
