Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal will star in a new production of William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Othello. The play, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, is scheduled to open in the spring of 2025.
Denzel Washington, known for his captivating performances in Training Day and Malcolm X, is no stranger to the stage. The two-time Academy Award winner has also garnered a Tony Award for his role in the 2010 revival of Fences. His more recent work in The Tragedy of Macbeth earned Washington another Academy Award nomination. In this new production, the film and theater veteran will take on the titular role of the Moorish general who falls victim to jealousy and manipulation.
Joining Washington is Jake Gyllenhaal, a versatile actor who has garnered acclaim for his work in both film and theater. Gyllenhaal’s notable film credits include ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ ‘Nightcrawler,’ and ‘Donnie Darko.’ In 2019, he received a Tony nomination for his performance in ‘Sea Wall/A Life.’ In ‘Othello,’ Gyllenhaal will portray the villainous Iago, a role that promises to showcase his remarkable talent for portraying complex characters.
The casting of Washington and Gyllenhaal in these iconic roles has generated much buzz among theater enthusiasts and casual fans alike. The collaboration of Washington’s commanding presence and Gyllenhaal’s nuanced character work promises to bring new depth to this classic tale of love, jealousy, and betrayal.
The production will be directed by Kenny Leon, a Tony Award-winning director known for his work on ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and ‘American Son.’ This will mark another reunion for Washington and Leon, who previously collaborated on ‘Fences’ and ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’
The 37-year-old shared the exciting news via Instagram earlier today with a caption that reads, “An answered prayer.”
According to his bio, Leslie’s now-fiancé, Nana-Yaw Asamoah, is a New York native and a sports and entertainment executive. He currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer of AMB Sports and Entertainment.
While the couple’s romantic relationship has not been public until now, Leslie has been open about being bisexual. In fact, she is the first Black and queer woman to play the aforementioned DC’s superhero.
During an interview on E! News’ Daily Pop, the actress shared that her role in the CW series inspired her to come out to her mom. “For me, I never felt like I had to hide anything,” Leslie said. “That wasn’t really where I was coming from. I just hadn’t had a conversation, so I just wanted to talk to my mom about it because I was living my life. I just wanted to be able to talk to her so she didn’t have to be told through the media.”
Javicia Leslie as Batwoman/ CW
According to the shared Instagram post, Asamoah proposed to Leslie in Napa Valley, at what appears to be a winery, in front of a beautiful mountain backdrop. Friends, family, and fans flooded the comment section with congratulations and best wishes to the couple. We are joining in as well!
Lauren Speed-Hamilton and Cameron Hamilton, beloved stars of Netflix’s Love Is Blind Season 1, have announced they are expecting their first child, a milestone following a four-year fertility journey. The couple, who charmed millions of fans with their love story, shared the joyful news earlier this week, via an Instagram video and an exclusive People interview, revealing their baby is due in fall 2025.
The Hamiltons’ path to parenthood was marked by challenges, including multiple rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cameron, 34, described the emotional moment they saw “pregnant” on a Clearblue test: “We were counting down the days… it was a huge moment.” Lauren, 37, shared that she “fell to her knees and cried,” calling the news a “relief” after years of anxiety-inducing tests. The announcement came shortly after the loss of Lauren’s father in December 2024, making it a bittersweet “light in the darkness” for their family.
Love Is Blind’s Lauren Speed-Hamilton and Cameron Hamilton / People magazine
The couple, married since November 2018, has been open about their fertility struggles on their podcast, The Love Seat.
Lauren, now in her second trimester, is navigating cravings for cheese and fruit, with Cameron as her steadfast supporter. They look forward to reliving childhood through their baby, with Lauren excited for “Disney on Ice and the zoo.” As they prepare for parenthood, the Hamiltons continue to inspire with their love and resilience, proving that their Love Is Blind connection remains unbreakable.
Taylour Paige-Angulo shared that she is expecting her first child with her husband, fashion designer Rivington Angulo, earlier today.
The announcement, made official through a captionless Instagram post, featured Paige-Angulo in a white dress that beautifully highlighted her baby bump. This milestone comes after a deeply personal journey, including a decades-long battle with endometriosis, which the ‘Zola’ actress openly discussed on social media.
Paige-Angulo’s pregnancy reveal follows her first public hint at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards on February 27, where she debuted her (hidden) baby bump in a chic brown dress. A TikTok video captured her chatting with fellow actors Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors.
Behind Taylour’s joyful announcement lies a challenging history with endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing severe pain and fertility issues. The actress has been candid about her struggle, which went undiagnosed for 20 years. In an emotional Instagram post on March 4, 2025, during Endometriosis Awareness Month, she described it as a “lifelong journey of healing” and a “really violent illness” that brought “agony and turmoil.” She recounted debilitating symptoms—pain so intense it made her “see stars,” monthly vomiting, and times she couldn’t drive.
In fall 2023, Paige-Angulo underwent a four-hour surgery to remove endometrial tissue. Reflecting on the experience, she wrote, “So many women are going THROUGH it okay. Be gentle with us.”
Taylour Paige and Rivington Angulo/ Instagram
The Angulos tied the knot on October 5, 2022, on Paige’s 32nd birthday. Their intimate ceremony unfolded at the Wattles Mansion in Los Angeles. The couple’s romance had blossomed quickly after meeting during the pandemic at a party hosted by a mutual friend. Paige-Angulo later recalled how Angulo’s energy felt like “home” from the start. For the occasion, she wore a custom sheer white gown designed by her then-fiance. The event was attended by close friends, including a notable appearance by Rihanna, adding a touch of star power to the heartfelt affair. Paige-Angulo described the day on Instagram as “the greatest day of my life.”