Moroccan-American actor Ali Louis Bourzgui used his acceptance speech at the Tony Awards on Sunday night to speak out in support of Palestinians , immigrant communities and LGBTQ people after winning Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in Broadway's The Lost Boys .
Accepting the award, the 26-year-old dedicated it to "the people of Palestine who deserve to live a fruitful life, a free life, a full life without occupation", drawing applause from the audience.
His remarks come as Palestinians in Gaza continue to endure Israel's devastating military campaign, while Palestinians in the occupied West Bank face escalating attacks by Israeli settlers and military forces, alongside ongoing displacement linked to settlement expansion.
Bourzgui also paid tribute to immigrant families and LGBTQ communities in the United States, telling them they should not have to "audition for the empathy" they deserve.
Speaking about immigrant communities, he said the "beautiful tapestry" they create is what makes the United States special.
"May you one day not have to audition for the empathy that should be freely given by this country that benefits from your beauty," he said.
The actor also used the moment to celebrate Arab artists and theatre makers, calling for greater visibility and representation.
Addressing underrepresented Arab creatives , he said he hoped they would continue telling their stories and showing their faces so that "our humanity becomes undeniable, and our families can no longer be written off as merely collateral damage."
"May they know the beauty of our kisses upon each cheek and the romance of a language rooted in passion for love and life itself," he added in his speech.
Bourzgui won the award for his performance as David, the charismatic leader of a vampire gang in Broadway's musical adaptation of The Lost Boys , based on the cult 1987 horror-comedy film.
His portrayal has drawn widespread praise from critics and audiences, particularly for its demanding vocal performances and physical stunts. Moroccan roots and Arab representation Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to a Moroccan father and an Italian-Irish mother, Bourzgui has built a growing reputation on Broadway through roles in productions including Hadestown and The Who's Tommy .
Alongside his mainstream theatre work, he has consistently sought out roles that highlight Arab and Muslim experiences.
In 2024, he starred as Amir in the off-Broadway musical We Live in Cairo , which follows a group of young Egyptians navigating friendship, activism and political upheaval during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution . Written by Lebanese-American brothers Patrick and Daniel Lazour, the production explored themes of identity, resistance and hope during the Arab Spring.
The year before, Bourzgui portrayed young Mazin and Yousif in the Chicago production of Layalina .
Earlier this year, the actor said he remained committed to increasing Arab-American and Muslim representation in the entertainment industry and telling "beautiful, nuanced" stories about his community.
Speaking about his faith in a 2024 interview, Bourzgui said being Muslim had always been an important part of his identity, though growing up in post-9/11 America often made him feel pressure to conceal it.
Over time, however, he said he had come to embrace that part of himself more fully.
"It's been such a wonderful re-acceptance of being Muslim – of being proud of it," he told The Daily Beast in 2024.