Keanu Reeves became the unexpected star of the 2025 Tony Awards after a jaw-dropping onstage moment with Broadway icon Jonathan Groff left both the audience and the internet in shock. The 60-year-old “Speed” star was seated in the audience at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall when Groff delivered a high-energy performance of “Mack the Knife” from his Bobby Darin musical “Just In Time.” But things took a wild turn when Groff, mid-song, suddenly leapt onto Reeves’ chair and straddled him, legs on either side of the stunned actor’s face.
Caught completely off guard, Reeves let out a scream and looked up between Groff’s legs in disbelief. In true Keanu fashion, he quickly recovered, threw up a rock-on hand sign, and played along, even as Groff cheekily grabbed his chest before bouncing off the chair and continuing the number.
The unexpected moment immediately went viral online, with fans divided over whether it was hilarious or completely out of line. “Jonathan Groff climbing over Keanu Reeves in the audience and then straddling him while performing at the Tonys. Omg lol,” one fan commented on Daily Mail‘s report. Another added, “Keanu Reeves already won the Tonys with this moment.”
Tony Awards Straddle Sparks Debate
However, not everyone was amused. Some viewers questioned the appropriateness of the act, with one writing, “Umm, isn’t that sexual harassment? Keanu is a good sport, but I would have refused to be treated like that.” Another chimed in, “Why does Hollywood have to be so perverted? At least it used to be behind closed doors. Now they force it on entertainers for humiliation.” One commenter even compared it to a past awards show stunt involving Eminem, saying, “This felt similar to when they pulled something like this on Eminem. It’s uncomfortable.”
Still, many came to Groff’s defense, noting his long-standing friendship with Reeves. “They’re friends. It likely was planned. But even if it wasn’t, Groff knows Reeves and that he’d be fine with it,” one user posted. “FFS, Billy Crystal did stuff like this at the Oscars decades ago without y’all clutching your pearls.” Others took the moment more lightly, calling it “hilarious” and praising Reeves for being a “good sport” about the surprising spectacle.
While it’s unclear whether the stunt was rehearsed or completely spontaneous, one thing’s for certain. Keanu Reeves and Jonathan Groff gave the Tonys a viral moment no one saw coming, and the internet still hasn’t recovered.
