On Broadway’s most dazzling night, three Filipino Americans didn’t just take home Tony Awards—they took command of the stage, the spotlight, and the narrative.

At New York City’s iconic Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, the 78th Annual Tony Awards became an unexpected but thrilling showcase of Fil-Am excellence. Darren Criss, Nicole Scherzinger, and Marco Paguia each emerged triumphant in their respective categories.

Criss, the charismatic multi-hyphenate best known for Glee, clinched two Tony Awards—his first ever—for Maybe Happy Ending: one for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, and another as a producer. The historic double win etched his name into the record books, making him the first known Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) actor to claim the leading actor in a musical title and the first to do so while producing the same show.

Equally commanding was Nicole Scherzinger, whose transformative turn as Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd. earned her the Tony for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. Known to many as the sultry lead of the Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger proved she’s not just a pop icon but a theatrical powerhouse. “I’m so proud to represent,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “Thank you for making this little Hawaiian-Ukrainian- Filipino girl’s dream come true.”

And while Criss and Scherzinger commanded the spotlight, another Fil-Am talent earned quiet acclaim in a different category. Marco Paguia, a respected music director, arranger, and pianist, won Best Orchestrations for the soul-stirring Buena Vista Social Club. A veteran of New York’s music scene, Paguia’s win reflects years of sonic craftsmanship behind the curtain—now brought gloriously into the light.

This year’s nominations also featured other prominent Fil-Ams: actor Conrad Ricamora was in the running for his featured role in Oh, Mary!, while Clint Ramos received a nod for costume design in Maybe Happy Ending. Though they didn’t take home awards, their inclusion underscored the growing visibility—and influence—of Filipino American artistry on Broadway’s grandest stage.