Despite record-breaking success and star power, the Broadway revival of “Othello” failed to secure any nominations for the 2025 Tony Awards.
Kandi Burruss, co-producer of the production alongside her husband Todd Tucker, expressed her disappointment on social media. “Well y’all… Othello didn’t get the Tony nomination. Of course I’m disappointed, but I’m still beyond proud to be part of this phenomenal production,” she wrote on Instagram.
The revival, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, featured Denzel Washington as Othello and Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago. It achieved significant commercial success, grossing $2.8 million in a single preview week and consistently selling out performances. Despite this, it was overlooked in all categories, including Best Revival of a Play.
Burruss praised the lead actors, stating, “Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal delivered a masterclass in acting.” She also congratulated the nominees, adding, “To anyone chasing a dream—keep going. Setbacks are setups for comebacks.”
Aiming for EGOT Status
The Tony snub is a setback in Burruss’s pursuit of EGOT status. She previously earned a Tony nomination for co-producing the 2022 revival of “The Piano Lesson” and has a Grammy Award for her songwriting. In 2023, she received an Emmy nomination for her work on “La Musica de La Familia.” “My overall dream is that I get the EGOT,” Burruss shared in an interview. “I got a Grammy. I need an Emmy, I need an Oscar, I need a Tony.”
Despite the disappointment, Burruss remains optimistic. “‘Tell Me No’ by Whitney Houston is on repeat right now,” she noted, referencing the song she co-wrote.
The 2025 Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, will be broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+ on June 8.