Nicole Scherzinger Takes Home Prestigious Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance

It’s officially safe to say she’s the greatest star of all! Nicole Scherzinger took home the prestigious Distinguished Performance Award for her work on the 2025 revival of Sunset Boulevard at the 2025 Drama League Awards Friday afternoon. The Distinguished Performance Award can only be won once during an actor’s career. 

Sunset Boulevard marks Scherzinger’s Broadway debut after starring as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard in London in 2023. While she may be best known as the lead singer of the girl group The Pussycat Dolls, she has proven herself a tour-de-force in the production, earning critical acclaim for her interpretation of the iconic Norma Desmond. 

In addition to the Distinguished Performance Award, The Drama League recognized notable directors and productions from this season. Original musical Maybe Happy Ending took home the award for Outstanding Production of a Musical, with its director Michael Arden being recognized for Outstanding Direction of a Musical. Oh, Mary! won Outstanding Production of a Play, with its director Sam Pinkleton also taking home Outstanding Direction of a Play. 

For the first time in 25 years, there was a tie in a category. Eureka Day and Vanya were both recognized for Outstanding Revival of a Play. Sunset Boulevard won Outstanding Revival of a Musical.  

The Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City was filled with stars and creatives who celebrated this season’s accomplished performers and creatives. Previous Distinguished Performance Award winners Annaleigh Ashford, Norbert Leo Butz, Danny Burstein, Audra McDonald, and Sutton Foster presented most of the awards. Schele Williams, who was honored with the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing in 2024, presented the Outstanding Direction of a Play & Musical Awards to Arden and Pinkletonn. 

Lea Salonga was recognized for her contributions to the theatre community with the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater award. Her Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends co-star Bernadette Peters presented the award. Peters also presented The Gratitude Award to television and film producers Robert Greenblatt and Neil Meron, who are lead producers on the musical adaptation of Smash this season. 

Sam Gold presented the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing to Whitney White, who directed the 2025 Broadway production of The Last Five Years. In addition, Kate Navin and Audible Theater were recognized with the Contribution to the Theater Award.