Laurie Hernandez, the Olympic gold medalist gymnast, made her Broadway debut on May 3, 2026, in the musical '& Juliet' at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York City. The production, which reimagines Shakespeare's Juliet as a modern woman, features Hernandez in the ensemble and as an understudy for the lead role.
Hernandez, 25, who won gold and silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has been training for this moment since leaving gymnastics. She previously appeared on 'Dancing with the Stars' and has pursued acting and dance. In a statement, she called the debut 'a dream come true' and thanked the cast and crew for their support.
The show's opening night received positive reviews, with critics praising Hernandez's energy and stage presence. '& Juliet' has been running on Broadway since 2022, with a score of pop hits by Max Martin.
