Denee Benton praised online for calling Ron DeSantis ‘Grand Wizard’ of Florida at Tony Awards
Denee Benton at 'The Guilded Age' screening, PaleyFest NY, New York, USA - 09 Oct 2022 | Credit: Photo by Ron Adar/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
- Broadway actress Denee Benton called Ron DeSantis the "Grand Wizard" at the Tony Awards
- She compared the Republican Presidential candidate to a Ku Klux Clan leader
- DeSantis is infamous for signing the Don't Say Gay bill among others
During Sunday’s Tony Awards, Broadway actress Denée Benton compared Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to the “Grand Wizard”, Ku Klux Klan commander.
Benton took the stage during the live broadcast on CBS and Paramount+ to present Carnegie Mellon University’s Excellence in Theatre Education Award. The 2023 recipient is Jason Zembuch Young from South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida.
Also Read: Hugh Jackman tests positive for COVID-19 after Tony Awards performance
Benton mentioned in her remarks that she is not only a CMU alumna, but also a Florida native.
“Earlier tonight, CMU and the Tony Awards presented the 2023 Excellence in Theatre Education Award. And while I am certain that the current Grand Wizard — I’m sorry, excuse me, governor — of my home state of Florida…,” she said, as the audience applauded. “I am sure that he will changing the name of this following town immediately.”
Also Read: Phylicia Rashad wins hearts with Tony Awards acceptance speech | Watch
Who is Denee Benton
Benton’s Broadway credits include Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, Hamilton, and Into the Woods. She has also been on Lifetime’s Unreal and HBO’s The Gilded Age.
Her remarks were given without the assistance of a writer as this year’s Tony Awards ceremony took place during the ongoing writers strike after organisers reached an agreement with the WGA to proceed without a script as a concession to the guild, which vowed not to picket the event.
Reaction from People
The gesture of Benton has been accepted very positively by people. Praises were heaped on her on several social media platforms
DeSantis’ Reaction
DeSantis, who launched his presidential candidature last month, has yet to openly react on his social media outlets. He’s running on the Republican ticket, with former President Donald Trump.
Also Read: Which Republican elected officials are backing Ron DeSantis’ 2024 presidential campaign
Since assuming office in 2019, DeSantis has taken a number of decisions that have sparked outrage and debate among civil rights activists, including signing the so-called Don’t Say Gay bill. When the Walt Disney Company criticised the measure, he retaliated by removing the special tax district around Walt Disney World and seized control of the area’s governing body.
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