In a heartfelt yet scathing rebuke that has sent shockwaves through the theater world, Pauletta Washington, the steadfast wife of Hollywood legend Denzel Washington, publicly condemned the 2025 Tony Awards for what she calls a blatant injustice against her husband’s acclaimed Broadway revival of Othello. The announcement, delivered just hours ago during a candid interview with reporters outside the Vivian Beaumont Theater, marks a rare moment of unfiltered frustration from the usually poised 74-year-old actress, who has stood by Denzel’s side for over four decades.
“Now see, that’s not something you want to ask me,” Pauletta began with a wry laugh, her voice laced with the weight of repeated disappointments. “I can’t say that I was surprised that they didn’t [nominate it]. In my family, we’ve been through this a lot of times. A lot of times. And I think I can speak honestly and truthfully and artistically that it was denied, you know, so you wonder why.”
The bombshell comes amid widespread outrage over the Tony nominations unveiled earlier this month, which completely shut out the star-studded Othello production. Directed by Kenny Leon, the revival features Denzel, 70, in the titular role opposite Jake Gyllenhaal as the treacherous Iago. Despite shattering records as the highest-grossing Broadway play in history—pulling in a staggering $2.8 million in a single week—the show received zero nods, including for Best Leading Actor in a Play, a category Denzel previously conquered with his 2010 Tony win for Fences.
Pauletta didn’t hold back in assigning blame, pointing the finger squarely at the industry’s gatekeepers. “It’s narrow-minded people that are in charge of making decisions and judgments,” she declared, echoing sentiments from fans and critics alike who have flooded social media with hashtags like #JusticeForOthello and #DenzelDeservesBetter. She tied the snub to backlash over the production’s premium ticket prices—some as high as $900—insisting, “That’s the bottom line.” Denzel himself has defended the pricing in recent interviews, noting affordable $50 seats go unsung amid the uproar.
The Washingtons’ inner circle has long been no stranger to such slights. Denzel’s career, spanning iconic turns in Malcolm X, Training Day, and The Equalizer franchise, boasts just two Oscars despite a shelf full of accolades. Yet Pauletta’s words today carry extra sting, coming on the heels of the couple’s recent family outing to celebrate Othello‘s March opening night, where she joined three of their four children—Katia, John David, and Olivia—in cheering Denzel from the front row.
Co-producer Kandi Burruss echoed Pauletta’s dismay on Instagram, posting, “Of course, I’m disappointed, but I’m still beyond proud to be part of this phenomenal production. Every time I watch our cast, I’m blown away and inspired. #DenzelWashington @jakegyllenhaal—you both are delivering a masterclass in acting every single night.”
As Othello continues its sold-out run through early 2026, Pauletta’s fiery defense has reignited debates about diversity, bias, and recognition in the arts. Broadway insiders speculate the snub could fuel a surge in attendance, turning adversity into triumph once more. For now, though, the Washington matriarch’s announcement stands as a sobering reminder: Even legends aren’t immune to the theater’s unforgiving spotlight.
