Ariana DeBose on Sunday kicked off the Tony Awards 2022 by celebrating inclusion and diversity on Broadway. 

DeBose presided over the first large-scale, in-person Tony Awards ceremony since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"I am so proud that the theater is becoming more reflective of the community who adores it, and in doing so, has gained new performers, new creatives, new fans," DeBose said in her opening monologue.

The Oscar winner went on to say that theater has shown stories that have broadened the world and "opened" the hearts and minds of the people.

DeBose added that she feels like the phrase "Great White Way" is now becoming a nickname contrary to a "how-to-guide." The actress also highlighted that Black playwrights wrote seven plays across Broadway stages in the last season.

"My friends, those are steps toward inclusion," DeBose noted.

Aside from giving a monologue to open this year's Tony Awards, DeBose also wowed the crowd with a performance of songs from classic Tony-winning musicals, including "Company," "Cabaret," and the "The Phantom of the Opera."

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Ariana DeBose Snuck Into Tony Awards Afterparties

Hours after Ariana DeBose performed and delivered her monologue at Tony Awards 2022, the Oscar winner took her followers into memory lane as her friend shared a mutual memory they had on Tony Awards.

A post shared by instagram

Musical Director Benjamin Rauhala took to Instagram to share a story about when DeBose snuck in the afterparties of the prestigious awards ceremony, noting that they would put on their best outfits for the occasion.

DeBose shared the post on her Instagram, tagging Rauhala with the caption saying: "LOOK HOW FAR WE'VE COME! LOVE YOU."

DeBose earlier told People that she would be joined by her partner Sue Makkoo, her mom Gina, and friend Jonathan Cobrda in her hosting gig for Tony Awards 2022. The three were also reportedly with Ariana DeBose when she won her Oscar earlier this year.

Some of Tony Awards 2022 Winners

The 75th Tony Awards features several Broadway performance nominations. "A Strange Loop" is leading this year with 11 nominations. "Paradise Square" follows with 10 nominations. "Company" comes third with nine nominations.

"Take Me Out" won the Best Revival of Play award, while "The Musical" bagged the Best Original Score category.

"The Skin of Our Teeth" bagged the Best Costume Design of a Play. Sam Mendes won Best Direction of a Play for "The Lehman Trilogy." The same act also won the Best Scenic Design of a Play.

"MJ" won Best Lighting Design of a Musical and Best Sound Design of a Musical. "Company" bagged Best Performance of an Actor and Actress in a Featured Role in Musical at Tony Awards 2022.

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Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Actress Ariana Debose on Hosting the 75th Annual Tony Awards - From CBS Mornings