This year, Latino artists are making a significant impact at the 2025 Tony Awards, set for June 8 at Radio City Music Hall. From powerhouse performances to sharp, original storytelling, these nominees are not just participating; they are shaping the season’s most talked-about shows. With standout names like Joy Huerta and Justina Machado earning recognition for historic performances in Broadway’s top musicals, Latino talent is firmly in the spotlight.
Here is a closer look at the Latino nominees who are making waves this season and bringing cultural depth, energy, and innovation to Broadway’s biggest night.
Joy Huerta makes Tony history
Huerta, part of the Grammy-winning duo Jesse & Joy, is now a Tony nominee. She’s up for Best Original Score for Real Women Have Curves, making her the first Mexican woman nominated in this category. Her music brings together Latin pop and musical theater in a way that feels both fresh and deeply personal.
Justina Machado delivers a breakout performance
Real Women Have Curves nominated Machado for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She brings the same mix of heart and sharp timing we’ve seen in her TV roles, delivering a performance that’s honest and strong. She's known for bringing warmth, humor, and depth to everything she does, and this role is no different. She also won a SAG Award in 2004 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for Six Feet Under.
Marco Ramirez celebrates Cuban culture through story
Playwright Ramirez is up for Best Book of a Musical for Buena Vista Social Club. The show is built around the legacy of the iconic Cuban music group, and Ramirez uses that as a way to explore culture, memory, and how music keeps stories alive. He’s known for his sharp writing in both theater and TV. His credits include Daredevil, Orange Is the New Black, and The Royale, a play about boxer Jack Johnson that looks at race and fame in America. A lot of his work focuses on identity, community, and cultural history.
Natalie Venetia Belcon brings Omara Portuondo to life
Belcon is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for her portrayal of Omara Portuondo in Buena Vista Social Club. With roots in Trinidad, Belcon delivers a performance that captures both the strength and sensitivity of the legendary Cuban singer.
Special recognition for the Buena Vista musicians
The musicians behind Buena Vista Social Club just received a Special Tony Award, and it's well deserved. Artists like Marco Paguia, David Oquendo, Renesito Avich, and others, many of them Cuban or Latino, are being recognized for how deeply their music shapes the show.
Decade of Hamilton: 10th anniversary performance
The 2025 Tony Awards will feature a 10th anniversary performance by the original Hamilton cast to celebrate the show’s 2015 debut. Confirmed to perform are Lin-Manuel Miranda, who’s also presenting; Ariana DeBose, who was in the ensemble and an understudy; Jasmine Cephas Jones, who played Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds; and Okieriete Onaodowan, who played Hercules Mulligan and James Madison.
A moment of visibility and pride
This year’s Tony nominations mark a big shift. With Real Women Have Curves and Buena Vista Social Club, Latino artists are not just part of Broadway. They are helping shape what it looks like. Their stories, music, and voices take center stage, delivering a personal and powerful message that resonates with everyone.
The spotlight is on. This could be a major moment for Latino theater. No matter who wins, it is clear that Latino voices are becoming a vital part of Broadway’s future.