Nicole Scherzinger Stuns Tony Awards: Electrifying “Sunset Blvd.” Performance Ignites Standing Ovation—Broadway Insiders Whisper About Historic Comeback, Oscar Buzz, and Scherzinger’s Secret Struggles Revealed! Fans and Critics Alike Left Breathless as Pop Star Transforms Into Theater Powerhouse—What’s Next for Nicole? Exclusive Backstage Details and Shocking Reactions Inside!

The Tony-nominated Scherzinger brought the house down performing “As If We Never Said Goodbye” from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical

Nicole Scherzinger performs a number from ‘Sunset Blvd.’ at the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 8. Credit :Theo Wargo/Getty

Nicole Scherzinger brought Broadway’s elite to their feet at the 78th Tony Awards.

The Sunset Blvd. star, performing a show-stopping number from that Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, earned a standing ovation from the crowd at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 8.

Wearing a simple black dress amid stage smoke, Scherzinger, 46, in character as screen star Norma Desmond, the lead role in the acclaimed Jamie Lloyd-directed revival, belted “As If We Never Said Goodbye.”

Preceding the musical moment was a heartfelt introduction from none other than Glenn Close, who originated the role of Norma Desmond and won a Tony for the show’s 1993 Broadway debut. Close, 78, saw the current production of Sunset Blvd. back in April, visiting Scherzinger backstage after the show.

Glenn Close onstage at the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 8.Theo Wargo/Getty

“As If We Never Said Goodbye,” written by Don Black, Christopher Hampton, Amy Powers and Webber, is considered one of the latter’s most memorable tunes. Among those who have made the song famous are Close, Barbara Streisand and Chris Colfer.

For her Broadway debut performance, Scherzinger is nominated for her first Tony after previously winning the 2023 Laurence Olivier Award after Sunset Blvd.’s West End run. Costar Tom Francis, who plays young screenwriter Joe Gillis, is also among the production’s seven nominations.

Also recognized alongside the former Pussycat Doll in this year’s to-be-announced lead musical actress category were Audra McDonald for Gypsy, Jasmine Amy Rogers for Boop! The Musical and Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard for Death Becomes Her.

Among the other contenders at this year’s Cynthia Erivo-hosted Tonys ceremony are new musicals Buena Vista Social Club and Maybe Happy Ending, plus new plays John Proctor is the Villain and The Hills of California.

Nicole Scherzinger in ‘Sunset Blvd.’.Marc Brenner

Sunset Blvd., also starring David Thaxton and Grace Hodgett Young, is scheduled to play its last performance at the St. James Theatre on July 13. Those who have praised the show and Scherzinger’s lead performance include Close and Patti LuPone, another actress who has previously played Norma onstage.

See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 78th annual Tony Awards, hosted by Erivo at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and airing on CBS and Paramount+.