"Full licking of lips": Darren Criss reveals hilarious red carpet experience with Bernadette Peters

On The Kelly Clarkson Show, Criss relived a 2015 Tony Awards red-carpet moment when two-time Tony winner Bernadette Peters unexpectedly did a double-take—and a very expressive lip-lick—while he was being interviewed.

He cracked up recalling the “full double-take” and that “full licking of lips and up and down,” admitting in the moment he thought, “Is that the guy from Glee?”.

Now a Tony nominee himself for Maybe Happy Ending, Criss balances Broadway life with parenthood and a growing reputation as one of TV and theater’s most versatile performers.

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How Darren Criss and Peters' “Full licking of lips” became a viral red-carpet moment

At a Tony Awards red carpet roughly a decade ago, an unsuspecting Darren Criss stepped up for an on-camera bit only to find himself the object of a very theatrical reaction. “I get a full double-take,” he told Kelly Clarkson, describing the moment Peters paused mid-interview, peered his way, and then “full licking of lips and up and down” as if sizing him up.

Criss—then best known as Glee’s charming Blaine Anderson—was just launching into mainstream fame, while Peters was in full Old Friends Sondheim-revue mode. Rather than ice over, the 38-year-old actor played it cool, later joking he thought she might be asking “Who’s that?”—only to learn she really was, in fact, admiring her fellow Broadway star.

The clip of their reenactment—Peters hiding her face in mock embarrassment and Criss roaring with laughter—has since tickled theater lovers and late-night audiences alike.

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Darren Criss: From Glee heartthrob to Broadway leading man

Darren Criss first won hearts as the earnest member of New Directions on Glee (2010–2015), a show that catapulted him from college stages to primetime fame and earned him a devoted fanbase. After stepping away from McKinley High, he earned Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his chilling portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018).

In November 2024, Criss made his return to Broadway in Maybe Happy Ending at the Belasco Theatre, playing Oliver, an obsolete Helper-bot navigating love in a futuristic Seoul-set musical that New York critics called “joyful, heartbreaking, and supersmart”. The production has racked up ten Tony nominations—including Best Leading Actor for Criss—solidifying his transition from TV favorite to stage force.

Think-pieces have traced Criss’s trajectory from YouTube sensation (A Very Potter Musical) to Hollywood and into the Great White Way, applauding his blend of sincerity and comedic timing. Video essays highlight how his classical training (University of Michigan, BFA) and multi-instrumental talents inform performances that feel both polished and joyfully spontaneous.

Offstage, he’s embraced family life—juggling two toddlers with his wife Mia—while still finding time to champion new works and mentor emerging theater artists. There’s no prior professional pairing of Criss and Peters beyond this memorable red-carpet encounter, but both continue to shine in their respective Broadway revues: Criss in a brand-new musical and Peters in Old Friends through June 29, 2025.

Darren Criss’s “full licking of lips” anecdote reminds us that even seasoned stars can be caught off guard—and that the best memories are born of unplanned moments. From Glee breakout to Emmy and Tony nominee, Criss continues to surprise audiences with his heartfelt performances and infectious humor, proving that a little red-carpet spontaneity can go a long way.

Jasmine is a journalist for Primetimer

She graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Sophia College in Mumbai, where she had the unique opportunity to publish research in social science and media.

Jasmine holds more than three years of experience including an ex-Founder's role at a digital marketing agency called 'Very Weird'. Additionally, she also had stints as a journalist at GrowMeOrganic and Scatter Content. She also worked in the Social Media Management team for beauty and wellness brands, Green Maven and Yoga House Mumbai.

Jasmine is a strict follower of ethics in journalism and stays updated with industry developments in order to improve her craft. She is committed to presenting diverse perspectives, which enriches her storytelling and enhances the relevance of her articles in today’s dynamic media landscape.