It was a very emotional Tony Awards, which aired live Sunday night only hours after the mass shooting that took place at a local gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Considered the worst massacre in U.S. history, the crime committed by 29-year-old Omar Mateen left 50 dead (including himself) and over 50 wounded.
Miles away from the Magic City, in New York City, celebrities mourned and paid tribute to the victims at the 70th Annual Tony Awards. Many celebrities, such as host James Corden, expressed their sympathies at the star-studded event.
However, it was Lin-Manuel Miranda who wowed the audience and stole the show with a very emotive acceptance speech that touched upon the massacre.
In form of a sonnet that he wrote for his wife, Vanessa Nadal, the speech had a very powerful message about world peace. Read it below.
"My wife's the reason anything gets done
She nudges me towards promise by degrees
She is a perfect symphony of one
Our son is her most beautiful reprise.
We chase the melodies that seem to find us
Until they're finished songs and start to play
When senseless acts of tragedy remind us
That nothing here is promised, not one day.
This show is proof that history remembers
We lived through times when hate and fear seemed stronger;
We rise and fall and light from dying embers,
remembrances that hope and love last longer
And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside.
I sing Vanessa's symphony, Eliza tells her story
Now fill the world with music, love and pride."
In celebration of his remarkable speech, Gina Rodriguez dedicated her "Movement Mondays" this week to the Puerto Rican actor and rapper.
"Poised, regal, eloquent, kind, brilliant and loving soul. With an artist like #LinManuelMiranda how could you not be proud?" expressed the "Jane the Virgin" actress on Instagram.
"Lin, you showed the world you can use your art for change and at this years #TonyAwards you stood up there for everyone. #SiemprePalante To all the artists, nominees and winners alike, way to make quite the splash for people of all cultural backgrounds feel included, proud and represented," she added, as she highlighted her colleague's big win.
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