"Such an underrated vocalist": Adam Lambert steals the spotlight at 2025 Tonys during Cynthia Erivo's opening number

Adam Lambert only needed a few notes to leave his mark on Broadway’s biggest night.

During Cynthia Erivo’s electric opening number at the 2025 Tony Awards on June 8, the spotlight briefly, and unforgettably, shifted to Adam Lambert, who delivered a jaw-dropping vocal moment that instantly caught fire online.

Erivo, making her official hosting debut at Radio City Music Hall, kicked off the show with a vibrant original performance built around the line, “Sometimes all you need is a song.” Her musical tribute paid homage to the nominees, Broadway’s enduring spirit, and the joy of live theater.

But in the midst of the high-octane number, Erivo left the stage to engage the crowd, and that’s when Adam Lambert took center stage.

Handed the mic by Erivo herself, the glam-rock icon unleashed a string of smooth, intricate vocal runs that stunned both the live audience and viewers at home.

READ: Did Cynthia Erivo win a Tony Award? What we know as the Wicked actress tapped to host Broadway’s biggest night

Clips of the moment quickly spread across social media, where fans praised Adam Lambert’s skill and stage presence.

Erivo later returned to the stage and closed the number with a full gospel choir, earning a well-deserved standing ovation. But the buzz about Lambert lingered long after the curtain rose on the night’s festivities.

The surprise moment also gave fans a taste of what’s to come: later this summer, Lambert will star as Judas alongside Erivo’s Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl, an already-anticipated pairing made even more exciting by their shared spotlight at the Tonys.

Ahead of her big night, Erivo shared a backstage moment with Oprah Winfrey, who offered the hosting debutante a dose of heartfelt wisdom:

“The only thing you need to do is just be yourself.”

The two even nodded to meme culture when Erivo grabbed Oprah’s pointer finger, a playful wink to the viral “holding space” moment from the Wicked press tour.

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Fans celebrate Adam Lambert’s show-stealing moment during Cynthia Erivo’s Tony Awards opening number

As clips of the moment began making the rounds online, fans quickly took to the comments to praise Lambert’s unmistakable stage presence and vocal prowess.

“I love me some Adam Lambert!! He done stuck that tongue out and got to belting, I know that’s right! He is such an underrated vocalist,” gushed @tallyohhh.

“I knew since the ripe age of 10 that American Idol was wrong and that he was indeed a star,” opined @_xgretelx_.

“He never got the attention he deserved. Underrated vocalist,” commented @NaomisEvilCuzin.

“Adam is going to stick his tongue out and hit a note EVERY TIME! I live!” said @JarrellBrownn.

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Meanwhile, Adam Lambert is returning to the stage. This time, he’s taking on one of musical theatre’s most iconic roles.

The vocalist has officially joined the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl, where he’ll play Judas in a gender-blind production set for a three-night run this summer.

Lambert joins previously announced lead Cynthia Erivo, who will portray Jesus in the bold revival. The show, a rock opera, was created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.