You Really Like Her! Beautiful ‘Bumblebee’ Nikki M. James Named Best Tony Speechmaker

After a Tony Awards ceremony filled with eloquent words and emotional tears, who could possibly choose a favorite acceptance speech? Broadway.com readers, that’s who!

The clear victor, snapping up 41% of the votes, was a first-time Tony winner who took home a Best Featured Actress trophy for her role in The Book of Mormon, Nikki M. James. An emotional James welcomed the new man in her life, "Tony, come over to live with me,” before tearing up in thanks for both her Mormon family and her real family with the memorable declaration “I come from a long line of bumblebees, and I’m grateful that nobody told me I couldn’t fly.”

Coming in second place was Anything Goes star Sutton Foster, who garnered 23% of the vote. Foster’s teary acceptance speech for her Best Actress in a Musical award included shout-outs to her trio of onstage leading men, and very special thanks to both her longtime dresser Julien Havard and Broadway boyfriend Bobby Cannavale.

The race for third place was neck-and-neck, with 11% going to Catch Me If You Can’s Norbert Leo Butz's thanks for his Best Actor in a Musical award, nudging out Jerusalem’s Mark Rylance, whose poetry-filled acceptance speech for Best Actor in a Play earned 10%. Thanks for voting!