The Tony Award-winning performer posted an Instagram video describing how she ended up on a plane filled with a teenage theater group — none of whom seemed to know who she was. With a sarcastic tone, the 46-year-old joked that she “obviously couldn’t tolerate” not being recognized, so she asked if they were part of a theater group. When they confirmed they were, she told them she also worked in theater, only to receive a casual “Cool” in response, which she punctuated with a deadpan “RIP.”
However, the clip quickly drew mocking reactions on X, where users questioned her fame and posted comments like saying they didn’t know who she was, asking “Anyone know who the hell she is?” and joking about her appearance.
The backlash grew so intense that Benanti added a clarification in her Instagram caption, explaining she was making fun of herself rather than criticizing the teenagers. Her original caption had also included a lighthearted remark suggesting the group may not have been old enough to watch the 2008 Tony Awards, when she won for playing Louise opposite Patti LuPone in a revival of Gypsy.
Benanti launched her Broadway career in a 1998 revival of The Sound of Music, eventually stepping into the lead role of Maria von Trapp. She later appeared in productions such as Into the Woods, She Loves Me, Nine, and My Fair Lady. One of her standout performances came in the 2010 stage adaptation of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, based on Pedro Almodóvar’s film.
Beyond Broadway, she has appeared on television series including Nashville, Supergirl, Go On, the Gossip Girl reboot, and The Gilded Age. She’s also known for frequently portraying Melania Trump on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Despite her extensive résumé, many social media users continued to poke fun, with some saying they still didn’t recognize her even after looking her up. Others shared memes and jokes, including references to her upcoming one-woman show titled Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares. Some commenters argued that Broadway stars can be hugely famous within theater circles but less recognizable to the general public.
Still, Benanti also received support from fans who praised her career and criticized the backlash, calling her a respected figure in theater and saying she deserved more recognition.
