Exclusive Interview: Sky Lakota-Lynch on Broadway, Heritage, and Staying Gold

Sky Lakota-Lynch is no stranger to the stage, and his remarkable journey to Broadway stardom is nothing short of inspiring. This year, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his role as Johnny Cade in The Outsiders, which also won the Tony Award for Best Musical. From making his debut as Jared Kleinman in Dear Evan Hansen to embodying the beloved character Johnny Cade in the Tony Award-winning musical The Outsiders, Sky has captivated audiences with his authenticity and talent.

The Outsiders won the 2024 Tony Award for Best Musical and received 12 nominations, including Best Leading Actor (Brody Grant) and Best Featured Actor (Joshua Boone and Sky Lakota-Lynch). Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1967, the story follows Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, and their Greaser family as they clash with their wealthy rivals, the Socs. The musical explores themes of identity, friendship, and belonging, highlighting that there is still “lots of good in the world.” Produced by Angelina Jolie, it premiered at La Jolla Playhouse in 2023 to critical acclaim​

Nicole Wilson is an award-winning photographer, creative director, and artist known for capturing Broadway performers, celebrities, and top models. Raised in a Broadway family, her work has been featured in major magazines like VOGUE, Forbes, and Vanity Fair. She collaborates with leading luxury brands and public figures​

Photographer: Nicole Wilson @nicolewilsonphotography

Stylists: Kyrie Thompson @nokyap Dwayne Williams @1waynestar

In this exclusive interview with Vanity Teen, Sky shares what it’s like to step into the shoes of Johnny Cade, a character who holds a special place in his heart. He reflects on the hard work and joy that led to The Outsiders winning Best Musical at the Tony Awards and opens up about his connection to his Indigenous heritage and how it has shaped him as an artist.

Sky’s passion for storytelling goes beyond the stage—whether he’s exploring his love for cooking, thrifting, or the great outdoors, he remains committed to living life with curiosity and wonder. Join us as we dive into Sky’s journey, his creative process, and the powerful lessons he’s learned through the art of live theater.

Sky, tell us what it’s been like for you to play Johnny Cade in the hit Broadway musical, The Outsiders?

It’s been an absolute dream come true. The Outsiders was the first book I ever read as a kid. It was my gateway into the world of literature, so getting to play Johnny is surreal and full circle.

Your Broadway show, The Outsiders, won the prestigious TONY Award for Best Musical this past year. Congratulations to you, your cast and creative team on this tremendous achievement! What does winning a TONY mean to you and what was the experience leading up to the TONY’s like for you?

It’s always wild to think we measure art by awards sometimes, but nonetheless, I’ve been working on The Outsiders for over 6 years, so getting the honor of Best Musical validated a lot of the blood, sweat, and yes…tears, that we all put into this piece. Leading up to the Tony’s was the most wild time of my life. It was grueling and life-changing; so much goes into that one night.

How did you and your cast celebrate your win? Were there any special moments from TONY’s night you would like to share?

We all were screaming our heads off. I remember walking into our Tony’s party with my mom, Danya Taymor (our director who just won Best Direction of a Musical), and Angelina Jolie. It felt like the beginning of Titanic when Rose dreams about the people on the ship; just all the faces of everyone who worked so hard on this show all in one room celebrating the same thing.

What first led you to discover your interest in musical theater or acting in general?

I went to theater camp as a really little kid. My sister was in theater, and I had ADHD so my mom was like, “He will fit in here.” I didn’t at first because I was a sports kid at heart. Later in high school, my girlfriend took an acting class, and I joined just to be with her. I fell in love and never looked back.

I understand you are quite proud of your heritage, can you please tell us a bit more about that and how that’s influenced you as an artist or a human?

I’m half Indigenous (Haliwa-Saponi). I carry my family’s culture in my heart with everything I do, but mostly I am fighting to break the box that Native actors have been in for hundreds of years, and what a Native person can look like in the commercial eye.

In The Outsiders, you play a teenager in Tulsa in 1967. What were you like in your teen years? Were there any similarities between you and your onstage character, Johnny Cade?

Me and Johnny are very similar. I would say he’s the closest to me out of any character I’ve ever played, including Jared in Dear Evan Hansen. When I was a teen, I was at times a loner, but I had my core group of friends that always looked out for me and knew how to give me a good laugh.

What do you think makes the experience of live theater so worthwhile?

It doesn’t last. When you see live theater, you are experiencing a singular moment in time. Yes, the lines and songs might be the same, but the energy and the way they are delivered differ night by night. When I pass away, there will be people who say they saw me in The Outsiders…they can’t go back and watch that specific show like they could if it was a movie.

Do you have a favorite Broadway musical and what do you love about it?

My favorite musical is In the Heights. I remember seeing it as a kid and how blown away I was at seeing people play their own specific culture and making it cool. I was like, “I have to do this.”

You made your Broadway debut as Jared Kleinman in Dear Evan Hansen. What was it like for you to perform for a Broadway audience for the first time? Do you have a vivid memory of that experience?

My Broadway debut was also my put-in (first time under show lights) and I was the youngest male in the cast at the time, so I was SCARED. I remember walking out and feeling the air from people screaming when I made my entrance. I was the first male of color in that show and the first replacement, so it was a big responsibility for someone so young, but it taught me a lot.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the novel and the film of The Outsiders, how would you explain to them what the story of The Outsiders is all about?

The story of The Outsiders is about the haves and the have-nots in Tulsa 1967, and within that, family and chosen family trying to get through daily life.

There is a frequent reference and song from the show “Stay Gold” that your character grapples with. What do you feel the true meaning of “Stay Gold” is?

“Staying Gold” to me means not letting the world jade your sense of nature and wonder. Keeping the kid and the dreamer inside of you alive always.

How did you personally prepare and connect with your character of Johnny Cade?

I did a lot of research about Tulsa, including going to Tulsa and meeting with S.E. Hinton. I also based Johnny off a lot of things in my childhood, but also off films I watched avidly. Streetwise, Dog Day Afternoon, Paris, Texas. I took bits and pieces from each to give Johnny layers, even when he’s not speaking.

Do you have a favorite scene or moment from the show that you can share with us?

Lately, I have really been loving the first time Pony reads Johnny “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” It’s the first time in theater I’ve ever seen two platonic boys sitting on a bare stage showing their souls to each other.

Have you met or had in attendance at the show any of the original film’s cast members? If so, did they have any pearls of wisdom to impart to you in this new stage interpretation?

I had the pleasure of meeting most of the film’s cast. Ralph Macchio has been a friend for many years, and he always tells me to make it my own…I definitely stole a little from Ralph (Love you, Ralph!).

What is the most challenging part of performing a Broadway show like The Outsiders and what is the most rewarding?

The most challenging part is how physically exhausted I can get from the role. I spend most of the show climbing or being thrown around, so my body can get pretty banged up. The most rewarding part is knowing we are changing lives each night. Adam Rapp, Justin Levine, and Jamestown gave us such brilliant material, and we are lucky to tell this story each night.

Do you have any pre-show routines or rituals that get you in the right mindset for doing a Broadway show every day?

I listen to music that makes me think of Johnny, and I do a light workout in my dressing room to get my blood flowing.

Outside of your work as an actor, do you have any other big passions or hobbies?

I am a huge cook. I would love to someday have my own restaurant or Anthony Bourdain-style TV show. I also love thrifting, not only for clothes but for antiques. The outdoors is also a huge love of mine (hiking, fishing, camping).

What song or album are you currently loving at the moment?

• Mk.gee’s Two Star & The Dream Police
• Arthur Russell’s Love Is Overtaking Me
• Cities Aviv’s Cafe Tom Tom

Any other projects or things you would like to share or plug before you go?

Come see The Outsiders!!!!!!