‘Cats: Jellicle Ball’ Costume Designer Qween Jean Becomes First Openly Trans Tony Award Winner

June 7, 2026 4:04pm

That’s one for the history books: Qween Jean, whose costume design for Cats: The Jellicle Ball just won a Tony Award, is the first openly trans woman to every win a Tony Award.

While several non-binary performers have won Tonys in the past, Qween Jean is the first trans winner. She could also make score another Tony rarity later tonight: She’s nominated in a second category: Best Costume Design for a Play for her work on Liberation.

Taking the stage in a ruffled lavender gown, Qween Jean got the night’s ball rolling with a shouted “Happy Pride!”

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