O, beware, my lord, of jealousy.
Denzel Washington’s wife blamed “narrow-minded people” after her famous husband wasn’t nominated for a 2025 Tony Award for his performance in “Othello.”
“Now see, that’s not something you want to ask me,” Pauletta Washington, 74, told People on Thursday when asked about the stunning snub. “I can’t say that I was surprised that they didn’t.”
The “Philadelphia” actress explained that this wouldn’t be the first time a member of her family, which also includes “The Creator” actor John David Washington and “The Piano Lesson” director Malcolm Washington, failed to get nominated for an important award.
“In my family, we’ve been through this a lot of times. A lot of times,” Pauletta added. “And I think I can speak honestly and truthfully and artistically that it was denied, you know, so you wonder why.”
“But we don’t have to wonder why,” she charged. “It’s narrow-minded people that are in charge of making decisions and judgments.”
Another reason, she speculated, was the Broadway show’s exorbitant $921 ticket prices.
“That’s the bottom line,” the “Malcolm X” star’s wife said. “And that’s a part of it. And you know that.”
Denzel, 70, ultimately lost out on the Best Leading Actor in a Play nomination to George Clooney (“Good Night, and Good Luck”), Cole Escola (“Oh, Mary!”), Jon Michael Hill (“Purpose”), Daniel Dae Kim (“Yellow Face”), Harry Lennix (“Purpose”), and Louis McCartney (“Stranger Things: The First Shadow”).
Jake Gyllenhaal, who stars opposite Denzel’s Othello as the manipulative Iago in the William Shakespeare revival, was also not nominated for a 2025 Tony Award.
The “Gladiator II” star’s Tony snub and his wife’s remarks about the matter come after The Post’s theater critic, Johnny Oleksinski, had his invitation to review the play rescinded for penning a column bringing attention to the drama’s outrageous ticket prices.
Oleksinski still managed to see the production after The Post shelled out for a ticket, and he dubbed the play “one slooow-thello.”
However, Denzel made no apologies for the insane ticket prices despite the backlash.
“[They’re selling] as low as $50,” the “Equalizer” star responded when asked about the controversy. “People don’t talk about that.”
Denzel also addressed his successful career.
“I’ve been blessed beyond measure for a long time,” Denzel said. “I’m not bragging, but I’ve been a part of sold-out shows before.”
“God has blessed me with a great ability, and I’m humbled by the reaction and the response that we’re getting, and I’m humbled by the opportunity to share with a celebrity, or to use my celebrity to help others,” he added. “That’s what it’s about.”
