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How Once on This Island Star Hailey Kilgore Paid Homage to Haiti at the Tony Awards

Maria Ward

Updated June 11, 2018 at 6:32 PM

She knew she had found the perfect Tonys dress when she spotted Haiti’s national flower.

When Hailey Kilgore began her search for the perfect Tony Awards dress, she knew she had found The One when she spotted a Zac Posen design dotted with hibiscus—the national flower of Haiti. After all, she escapes to the Caribbean nation some eight times a week as the star of the Tony Award–winning musical Once on This Island. “I can’t really find the proper words, but it feels magical,” she told Vogue mere hours before attending last night’s ceremony at Radio City Music Hall.

Getting ready in a private suite surrounded by her glam squad, Kilgore perched in a makeup chair to receive the finishing touches to complement her flowing, full-skirted gown, which called for a fresh-from-the-beach flush to match. “I must be glowing at all times,” Kilgore said with a self-assuredness that is rare for a woman of 19. Her getting-ready video, shot exclusively for Vogue, was full of even more surprises. Without further ado, take a look at the clip above and follow along with Kilgore on Broadway’s biggest night.

Tony Awards 2018: The Latest Celebrity Arrivals, Breaking News, Full List of Winners and More

See All of the Celebrity Looks From the 2018 Tony Awards Red Carpet:

Tony Awards 2018 Red Carpet Live: All the Celebrity Dresses and Fashion

<h1 class="title">Zoey Deutch in Brock Collection and Jennifer Meyer jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Zoey Deutch in Brock Collection and Jennifer Meyer jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Joan Allen</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Joan Allen
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Hailey Kilgore in Zac Posen</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Hailey Kilgore in Zac Posen
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Ken Davenport</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Ken Davenport
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Tatiana Maslany in Zac Posen</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Tatiana Maslany in Zac Posen
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Ashley Park in Pamella Roland, Jimmy Choo shoes, H. Stern jewelry, and with an Amanda Pearl bag</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Ashley Park in Pamella Roland, Jimmy Choo shoes, H. Stern jewelry, and with an Amanda Pearl bag
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Denise Gough in Oscar de la Renta and Jemma Wynne jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Denise Gough in Oscar de la Renta and Jemma Wynne jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Kelli O'Hara</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Kelli O'Hara
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Taylor Louderman in Christian Siriano</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Taylor Louderman in Christian Siriano
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Evan Springsteen, US singer Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Sam Springsteen and Jessica Springsteen in Givenchy</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Evan Springsteen, US singer Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Sam Springsteen and Jessica Springsteen in Givenchy
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Ari'el Stachel in custom Theory</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Ari'el Stachel in custom Theory
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jessica Keenan Wynn in Sachin & Babi and Chopard jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jessica Keenan Wynn in Sachin & Babi and Chopard jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Rebecca Night in Chopard jewelry and Harry Hadden-Paton in BOSS and Chopard jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Rebecca Night in Chopard jewelry and Harry Hadden-Paton in BOSS and Chopard jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Michael Cera</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Michael Cera
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Eric Rutherford</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Eric Rutherford
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Kathleen Rosemary Treado and Jeff Daniels</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Kathleen Rosemary Treado and Jeff Daniels
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Tavi Gevinson in Zac Posen and Zac Posen with Toni + Chloe Goutal brooch</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Tavi Gevinson in Zac Posen and Zac Posen with Toni + Chloe Goutal brooch
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Claire Danes in Valentino</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Claire Danes in Valentino
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Matthew Morrison</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Matthew Morrison
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Indya Moore in Altuzarra and Joseph Altuzarra</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Indya Moore in Altuzarra and Joseph Altuzarra
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">LaChanze in Sachin & Babi and H.Stern jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — LaChanze in Sachin & Babi and H.Stern jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Katharine McPhee in Zac Posen</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Katharine McPhee in Zac Posen
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Michelle Federer and Norbert Leo Butz in Black Lapel</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Michelle Federer and Norbert Leo Butz in Black Lapel
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Bee Shaffer in Alexander McQueen and Anna Wintour</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Bee Shaffer in Alexander McQueen and Anna Wintour
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, Andrew Rannells, and Zachary Quinto in Paul Smith</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, Andrew Rannells, and Zachary Quinto in Paul Smith
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Melissa Benoist in Dior jewelry and Chris Wood</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Melissa Benoist in Dior jewelry and Chris Wood
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Lauren Ambrose in Oscar de la Renta and Sam Edelman shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Lauren Ambrose in Oscar de la Renta and Sam Edelman shoes
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Rachel Brosnahan in Dolce & Gabbana and Fred Leighton jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Rachel Brosnahan in Dolce & Gabbana and Fred Leighton jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Amy Schumer in Brandon Maxwell and Chris Fischer</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Amy Schumer in Brandon Maxwell and Chris Fischer
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Lilly Jay in Dennis Basso and Ethan Slater in Stella McCartney</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Shutterstock</cite> — Lilly Jay in Dennis Basso and Ethan Slater in Stella McCartney
Photo: Shutterstock

<h1 class="title">Katrina Lenk in Georges Chakra and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Katrina Lenk in Georges Chakra and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Uzo Aduba in Cristina Ottaviano</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Uzo Aduba in Cristina Ottaviano
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Joshua Henry in Cloak</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Joshua Henry in Cloak
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Laurie Metcalf in Christian Siriano and Fred Leighton jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Laurie Metcalf in Christian Siriano and Fred Leighton jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Andrew Lloyd Webber</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Andrew Lloyd Webber
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Sonia Friedman and Paul Thornley</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Sonia Friedman and Paul Thornley
Photo: Getty Images

<cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Pablo Salinas and Tituss Burgess</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Pablo Salinas and Tituss Burgess
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Lauren Worsham and Kyle Jarrow in David Hart</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Lauren Worsham and Kyle Jarrow in David Hart
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Condola Rashad in Carolina Herrera and Fred Leighton jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Condola Rashad in Carolina Herrera and Fred Leighton jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Melody Herzfeld</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Melody Herzfeld
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Tiffany Haddish in Michael Kors Collection and Chopard jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Tiffany Haddish in Michael Kors Collection and Chopard jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Thalia and Tommy Mottola</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Thalia and Tommy Mottola
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Grace Elizabeth in Carolina Herrera and Chopard jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Grace Elizabeth in Carolina Herrera and Chopard jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Kerry Washington in Atelier Versace and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Kerry Washington in Atelier Versace and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Grey Henson in David Hart</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Grey Henson in David Hart
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Tina Landau</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Tina Landau
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Bessie Nelson</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Bessie Nelson
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Joan Allen and Tina Landau</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Joan Allen and Tina Landau
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jordan Roth in Givenchy Haute Couture</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jordan Roth in Givenchy Haute Couture
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Tina Fey in custom Thom Browne</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Tina Fey in custom Thom Browne
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Renee Fleming in custom Vera Wang with a Judith Leiber clutch</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Renee Fleming in custom Vera Wang with a Judith Leiber clutch
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Dan Moses Schreier</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Dan Moses Schreier
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Ming-Na Wen in Zameer Kassam jewelry with a Tadashi Shoji clutch</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Ming-Na Wen in Zameer Kassam jewelry with a Tadashi Shoji clutch
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Lindsay Mendez in Randi Rahm</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Lindsay Mendez in Randi Rahm
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Rachel Bloom</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Rachel Bloom
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Andrew Garfield in Tom Ford</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Andrew Garfield in Tom Ford
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jenna Ushkowitz</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jenna Ushkowitz
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Carey Mulligan in Giambattista Valli</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Carey Mulligan in Giambattista Valli
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Brooklyn Sudano in Sonia Rykiel</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Brooklyn Sudano in Sonia Rykiel
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jamie Parker and Deborah Crowe</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jamie Parker and Deborah Crowe
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Tommy Mottola</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Tommy Mottola
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">David Zinn</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — David Zinn
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Brandon Victor Dixon</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Brandon Victor Dixon
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Anthony Boyle in Alexander McQueen</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Anthony Boyle in Alexander McQueen
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Laura Osnes in Christian Siriano</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Laura Osnes in Christian Siriano
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Christine Baranski in Alexandre Vauthier and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Christine Baranski in Alexandre Vauthier and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Noma Dumezweni in Adam Lippes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Noma Dumezweni in Adam Lippes
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Wayne Coyne and Katy Weaver</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Wayne Coyne and Katy Weaver
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Charlotte St. Martin and Heather Hitchens</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Charlotte St. Martin and Heather Hitchens
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Marissa Jaret Winokur</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Marissa Jaret Winokur
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Sara Krulwich</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Sara Krulwich
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Tom Higgenson</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Tom Higgenson
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Christopher Gattelli</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Christopher Gattelli
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Schuyler Helford and Josh Groban in Gucci</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Schuyler Helford and Josh Groban in Gucci
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Annika Boras and Ayad Akhtar</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Annika Boras and Ayad Akhtar
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Lauren Ridloff in Jason W</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Lauren Ridloff in Jason W
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Stephanie Styles</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Stephanie Styles
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Telly Leung</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Telly Leung
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Peter Hylenski and Suzanne Hylenski</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Peter Hylenski and Suzanne Hylenski
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Eva Hwang and David Henry Hwang</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Eva Hwang and David Henry Hwang
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Sara Bareilles in J. Mendel, H.Stern jewelry and Nicholas Kirkwood shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Sara Bareilles in J. Mendel, H.Stern jewelry and Nicholas Kirkwood shoes
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Cynthia Erivo in New York Vintage, Fred Leighton jewelry, with a Judith Leiber clutch</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Cynthia Erivo in New York Vintage, Fred Leighton jewelry, with a Judith Leiber clutch
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Jamshied Sharifi and Miyuki Sakamoto</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Jamshied Sharifi and Miyuki Sakamoto
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Clint Ramos</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Clint Ramos
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Chita Rivera</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Chita Rivera
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Bruce Barish and Sarah Baarish</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Bruce Barish and Sarah Baarish
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Lilliana Vazquez in Sachin & Babi</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Lilliana Vazquez in Sachin & Babi
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Nikki M. James</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Nikki M. James
Photo: Getty Images

<h1 class="title">Brian Tyree Henry in Armani jacket, Ted Baker trousers, Eton shirt and bowtie, and Magnanni shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite> — Brian Tyree Henry in Armani jacket, Ted Baker trousers, Eton shirt and bowtie, and Magnanni shoes
Photo: Getty Images

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