Pauletta Washington Slams Narrow-Minded Tony Voters After Denzel’s Othello Snub
Holy moly, hold onto your latte—this one’s steaming hotter than your morning brew! Denzel Washington gave us chills playing Othello on Broadway last fall, yet when Tony nominations dropped, his name was curiously missing from the Best Actor in a Play category. Cue wife Pauletta Washington, who didn’t just raise an eyebrow—she delivered a full-on espresso shot of truth. In an exclusive chat with Page Six and echoed by People Magazine, Pauletta called out “narrow-minded people” behind the snub. “Can’t say I was surprised,” she told reporters on March 26, suggesting that biases still run deep in award circles.
Critics and fans alike raved about Denzel’s haunting performance. The New York Post reported standing ovations nearly every night; Variety praised his “masterful command of Shakespeare’s tragedy.” Yet Tony voters remained inexplicably silent, prompting Broadway insiders to whisper about backstage politics and old-school gatekeeping. According to The Hollywood Reporter, this isn’t the first time a veteran star has been overlooked, but Pauletta’s public reaction sets social media ablaze. Hashtags like #SnubbedAndProud and #OthelloUnfair began trending shortly after her comments went live.
Pauletta didn’t mince words in her interview—she lambasted the folks she feels are stuck in outdated playbooks. She pointed to the historic lack of diversity among recent nominations and urged Tony leadership to broaden its perspective next season. Industry watchers tell us (via Deadline) that the Tonys committee is already under pressure to reform its voting system. Will they listen? That remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: Pauletta’s caffeine-fueled call-out has become the rallying cry of anyone who’s ever felt sidelined.
Fans have taken to Twitter to share memories of Denzel’s breakthrough Tony win for “Fences” in 2010, wondering why this powerhouse talent isn’t recognized again. Even fellow actors like Viola Davis have given tacit support—last week, she shared a sweet backstage selfie with Denzel and Pauletta, captioning it “Family, always.” It feels like Broadway is at a crossroads: stick with the same old voting habits or embrace fresh voices and stories.
Whether the Tonys will revise their playbook remains uncertain, but you can bet your double-shot espresso that Pauletta Washington will be watching every step of the way. I swear, I could talk about this all day—now pass me another cup!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, The New York Post, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
