Broadway performer, Lindsay Mendez. took the stage on Sunday night at Radio City Hall to accept a Tony Award for her role in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel" on Broadway! A big congratulations to her!
The actress of Latino descent went on to thank her community, and left them with a touching message.
“When I moved to New York, I was told to change my last name from Mendez to Matthews or I wouldn’t work,” she said. “And I just want to say how proud I am to be a part of a community that celebrates diversity and individuality.”
Mendez encouraged and most importantly, reminded others to stay true to themselves. Accepting her award for best performance by an actress in a featured role in a musical, the performer said from the stage "To all you artists out there, just be your true self and the world will take note."
Lindsay Mendez is originally from Norwalk, California! So close to the area where I grew up! She is of Mexican and Russian Jewish descent! Her win places her in a small circle of Latina Tony Award winners through the years including: Chita Rivera. Sara Ramirez, Rita Moreno. Priscilla Lopez and Karen Olivo.
She went on to say at a backstage press conference that “Just because you’re a minority, doesn’t mean you only have to play roles that are set to be a minority. I love getting to play this crazy Maine girl in New England — an accent I’d never thought I’d have to hone.”
Most importantly, she says she's happy to represent an entire community: “Sometimes Latin people come and see me at the stage door, and say they are happy to see someone like them on stage. So I feel lucky to be part of this theatrical community — and to be honored and accepted here in this way.”
Fans of the actress went on to Twitter to express how excited they were about her accomplishment!
This is a huge milestone for the Latinx community, and she deserves the recognition! Congratulations once again, Lindsay Mendez! I would love to hear what your thoughts are on this!