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Denzel Washington struggling with speech after nearly biting tongue ‘half-off’

PEOPLE
Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington has revealed he’s still struggling with his speech several months after nearly biting his tongue off.

The two-time Oscar winner, 70, explained how the bizarre injury has “affected everything,” particularly as he prepares to return to Broadway in the title role of” Othello,” opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. Previews for the 15-week run begin Feb. 24.

“I bit my tongue almost half-off a few months ago. It’s affecting my speech. It forces me to slow down. I have to use it,” the Westchester-raised Washington told The New York Times in a sprawling interview published Saturday.

Washington then pointed to a particular line in the show: “Whither will you that I go to answer this is your charge?”

“It’s hard (to say) because my tongue is swollen,” said the “Fences” star and director.

Washington didn’t clarify how he bit his tongue or if he received any medical treatment, but he’s not letting it stop him from giving a great performance — and having fun while doing it. The way he sees it, you’ve just got to “jump in the water and enjoy yourself, instead of worrying about drowning.”

Washington’s starring role in “Othello” marks his first return to Broadway since appearing in 2018’s revival of “The Iceman Cometh.” In the nearly seven years since, he’s starred in two “Equalizer” films, Joel Coen’s film adaptation of “Macbeth” and the box office hit” Gladiator II.

But despite being one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, it’s acting onstage that brings Washington “the greatest joy,” though he admits money has always been at the forefront of his mind when choosing projects.

“I’ve taken every job for money,” he told the Times. “There’s no job I’ve taken where I went: ‘You guys just keep the money. I’m just so glad to be an actor.'”

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Kesha

Kesha throws champagne bottle at NYC show, striking photographer

NEW YORK — Kesha’s New York City gig kicked off with a bang Thursday when she threw a champagne bottle from the stage, and a photographer got caught in the crossfire.

The mishap occurred at SoHo’s YSL Beauty Candy Club as the Grammy nominee, 37, performed the 2024 single “Joyride.”

Video obtained by TMZ shows the “Take It Off” singer, whose full name is Kesha Rose Sebert, flanked by shirtless male dancers as she pops open a bottle of bubbly, takes a sip and tosses the bottle offstage, hitting a cameraman in the midst of snapping photos. The pop star crouched and waved apologetically as it happened.

The pop star reportedly performed about four songs total for a crowd of influencers, according to the outlet.

Kesha released “Joyride” last Independence Day, commemorating her own personal freedom. It was the first track she released since settling with Dr. Luke, the music producer she accused of drugging and raping her in 2005. Kesha dropped her lawsuit in 2016.

Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald, 51, staunchly denied the singer’s allegations, accusing her of defamation in 2014.

The former collaborators reached a settlement in the defamation suit nearly a decade later in June 2023.

Upon ending the legal dispute with Dr. Luke, Kesha said “only God knows what happened that night,” while the producer said he was “absolutely certain that nothing happened” and he “never drugged or assaulted her.”

“As I have always said, I cannot recount everything that happened,” Kesha said in her statement at the time. “I am looking forward to closing the door on this chapter in my life and beginning a new one.”

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Cash Warren, left, and Jessica

Jessica Alba and Cash Warren file for divorce after 17 years, no prenup

Jessica Alba filed for divorce from Cash Warren on Friday, nearly a month to the day since news of their split first broke.

The Honest Company co-founder, 43, and 46-year-old producer, who have been married for nearly 17 years, did not have a prenup, insiders told TMZ.

The outlet reports that Alba filed just before Warren on Friday, but their filings are nearly identical, suggesting the divorce is as “extremely amicable” as sources described.

The former couple is seeking joint physical and legal custody of their three children: daughters Honor, 16, and Haven, 13, as well as 7-year-old son Hayes.

Included in their community property will likely be The Honest Company, valued at $623 million and in which Alba holds a 5.4% stake.

Warren meanwhile co-founded the Pair of Thieves socks and underwear company. It holds an estimated value of $100 million, though insiders told TMZ it’s likely worth much more.

Alba and Warren wed in spring 2008, four years after meeting on the set of “Fantastic Four.” She starred in the film as Sue Storm, while Warren served was the director’s assistant.

News of their pending divorce broke on Jan. 8, nearly two months after they’d last been photographed together sitting courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game in November.

On Jan. 16, Alba suggested her yearslong “journey of self-realization and transformation” was the driving force behind the split, adding it was time for the couple to “embark on a new chapter of growth and evolution as individuals.”

In a statement on Instagram, Alba said that she and Warren maintain “love and kindness and respect” for each other and “will forever be family.”

Alba hinted at cracks in the marriage back in 2021, when she said Warren “probably gets the short end of the stick” as she juggles work and raising their kids.

“It’s all rosy for two and a half years. But then after that you become roommates,” she told People at the time.

From combined wire services

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