"But I feel so privileged to be able to do it."
British South Asian actress Maimuna Memon won Best Supporting Actress in a Musical at the Olivier Awards 2025.
The actress was recognised for her role in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812.
Based on part eight of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, the play drops the audience straight into the middle of a narrative and expects them to keep up.
Released in 2024, the production was both artistically ambitious and original.
From the staging to the production design, it is a long way from the usual West End musical.
And Maimuna was recognised for her performance as the fiercely loyal Sonya Rostova.
The Olivier Awards, held at the Royal Albert Hall, was hosted by Beverley Knight and Billy Porter.
Upon hearing her name announced as the winner, Maimuna Memon appeared stunned as she accepted her award from presenter Samantha Barks, kissing her on the cheek.
But things took a hilarious turn when she walked over to High School Musical star Corbin Bleu to do the same.
As Corbin went for a handshake, Maimuna leaned in for a kiss.
After a few tries, they finally managed the cheek kiss.
Maimuna Memon joked: “Trust me to make it awkward with a kiss… but that’s alright.”
During her acceptance speech, she said:
“This profession that we’ve chosen to do can have its ups and downs, certainly.
“But I feel so privileged to be able to do it.
“And in a world which is particularly volatile right now, where there are a lot of artists who don’t have that opportunity, I want to dedicate this award to all of them. Thank you.”
On social media, fans were proud to see a South Asian heritage performer being recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony.
Born in Lancashire to an Irish mother and a Pakistani father, Maimuna moved to Australia when she was a teenager.
Upon returning to England at the age of 18, Maimuna studied at the Oxford School of Drama, graduating in 2015.
She made her professional stage debut in the Manchester Royal Exchange production of Into the Woods in 2015.
The following year, she made her television debut in an episode of BBC One’s Doctors.
Maimuna Memon has also performed in the likes of Jesus Christ Superstar and Standing at the Sky’s Edge.
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