Online uproar over Denzel Washington's absence from Tony Awards nominations
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Denzel Washington's snub from the Tony Awards 2025 sparked a buzz on the web, with many fans expressing their dismay. Despite his stellar performance in the Broadway revival of Othello and the show's massive success, the Tony Award nominations failed to recognize Washington.
Side by side, George Clooney and Nicole Scherzinger earned nominations for their plays, Good Luck and Sunset Boulevard respectively. But Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, who starred alongside each other in the revival, were left out of the award show list.
Fans were left fuming, with one exclaiming, "I can't believe that!" Another chimed in, "Boycott is the word!" A third fan bravely spoke up, "How absurd of the Tonys to overlook Michelle Williams, Denzel Washington, Daniel Radcliffe, and James Franco."
Another disappointed fan couldn't help but question, "So many black American actors and actresses are being overlooked, but now they're snubbing DENZEL?!? Alas, where do we go from here, who's next?"
Amidst the furore, it's worth noting that in 2025, the Tony Awards had a tough competition with numerous new musicals, plays, and revivals. The revival of Othello, directed by Kenny Leon, was a star-studded affair, breaking box office records with a weekly gross of $2.8 million - the highest ever for a Broadway play.
However, critics had mixed reviews about the revival, with some labeling it as average, which might have contributed to Denzel's omission. Pauletta Washington, Denzel's wife, expressed her disappointment, blaming it on "narrow-minded people" who make the Tony nominations, hinting at subjective judgments over merit1. Critics and theater observers agreed, pointing out that the revival's exclusion was not shocking, given the overall reception despite the cast and sales2.
This isn't the first time Denzel Washington's fans have voiced their frustration. In the past, they were upset when Washington didn't receive an Oscar nod for his work in Gladiator II3.
- "Despite Denzel Washington's snub from the Tonys, it seems the world is rallying behind him, with fans passionately questioning who could be next to miss out on recognition."
- "Meanwhile, pop-culture is abuzz with the controversy surrounding the Tonys, as us viewers wonder if the award show overlooked notable talents such as Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, Daniel Radcliffe, and James Franco."
- "Amidst the heated debates and outrage, Denzel Washington and his star-studded revival of Othello continue to dominate the entertainment scene, with the show breaking world records and captivating audiences across the globe."
