Sherri Shepherd Alleges A-Lister Confronted Her In 'Forceful' Encounter
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on March 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM EDT
During the Broadway premiere of the highly anticipated production of "Othello," starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, talk show host Sherri Shepherd revealed she was involved in a tense confrontation with an “unnamed celebrity” before the curtain even rose.
Also spotted at the "Othello" premiere include Samuel L. Jackson, Zoe Kravitz, Christine Baranski, Peter Dinklage, Colman Domingo, Tamron Hall, Sunny Hostin, Keegan-Michael Key, Spike Lee, and many more.
The night was a celebration of star power, but off-stage, the drama involving Sherri Shepherd is what made headlines.
Sherri Shepherd Recounts Public Confrontation At Star-Studded Theater Event
On Monday morning’s episode of "Sherri," the former "View" co-host opened up about the shocking incident in front of a packed house at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, where stars like Jennifer Lopez, Angela Bassett, Katie Holmes, and even President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were in attendance.
“She grabbed my arm and forcefully turned me around,” Shepherd said of an altercation she found herself in. “And she says to me, ‘You’ve been shading me a lot.’”
Stunned, Shepherd responded that she hadn’t thrown any shade, but the actress allegedly wasn’t buying it.
“Yes, you have!” the woman reportedly shot back.
Sherri Shepherd Says She Hid In Bathroom
Though Shepherd didn’t name names during the segment, Page Six later confirmed that her fiery exchange was with "Boyz n the Hood" and "Friday" star Nia Long.
Still visibly frustrated, Shepherd said the moment left her “really mad” and added that she ducked into the bathroom during intermission to avoid another awkward encounter.
“I went to the bathroom during the intermission and I waited there for 15 minutes, waiting for a meeting in the ladies' room,” she joked, referencing the classic "Klymaxx" track. “You don’t get to grab me and turn me around like we’re in a daggum cartoon and just walk away.”
Shepherd theorized the whole thing may have been a case of mistaken identity and extended an olive branch, kind of, by inviting the actress to come on her show and clear the air.
“Let’s talk about it,” she said. “Let’s not turn this into something bigger than it is.”
Denzel Washington And Jake Gyllenhaal Break Broadway Records With History-Making Revival Of 'Othello'
Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal have proven that Shakespeare still sells, especially when paired with Hollywood royalty.
Their "Othello" revival at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre has officially made Broadway history, becoming the top-grossing play of all time, according to Deadline. In just eight preview performances, the production brought in a staggering $2.8 million, surpassing the previous record held by "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," which grossed $2.7 million in December 2023.
The production, which has captivated theatergoers and critics alike, sees Washington take on the title role of Othello, the betrayed and manipulated military commander, while Gyllenhaal plays the scheming and venomous Iago.
Denzel Washington Says 'Othello' Role Is 'The Most Excited I’ve Been This Century'
In a recent appearance on "CBS News Sunday Morning," Washington shared his deep connection to the role, a part he first played as a college student at Fordham University decades ago.
“It’s the most excited I’ve been this century,” he said with a smile. “Seriously. I haven’t been this excited about anything I’ve done as I am about this.”
Reflecting on how his perspective on the character has changed over time, Washington added,
“I know a lot less now. I thought I knew everything then! I didn’t really like the part, ‘cause I wasn’t wise enough to understand it. Now I understand it’s really about a bond, you know, that these characters have. He loves not wisely, but too well.”
Gyllenhaal, who has long expressed his love for the stage, was equally moved by the experience, both artistically and personally.
“You get to a point where you’re like, ‘Oh, I’ve worked my whole career for this, for this moment,’” he said.
Denzel Washington And Jake Gyllenhaal’s 'Othello' Becomes Broadway’s Must-See Hit
The duo’s electric chemistry, coupled with the timeless power of Shakespeare’s tragedy, has struck a cultural chord, drawing out Broadway’s elite and A-list fans alike. The record-breaking box office haul solidifies the production as not just a critical success, but a commercial juggernaut as well.
With its official opening now in full swing, "Othello" continues to be the hottest ticket in town, a historic blend of star power, storytelling, and stagecraft that’s redefining what Broadway success looks like.
