Denzel Washington Struggles with Speech After Tongue Injury
Denzel Washington is coping with speech difficulties following a serious tongue injury he sustained months ago, influencing both his personal reflections and professional work.
Denzel Washington, the acclaimed actor, is currently facing challenges with his speech months after a severe injury to his tongue. The 70-year-old revealed in an interview with The New York Times that he accidentally "bit his tongue almost half-off," which has led to ongoing difficulties in communication.
Washington shared that the incident has forced him to "slow down" while speaking due to a "swollen mouth organ." He mentioned a particular line he has to deliver: "'Whither will you that I go to answer this your charge?' It's hard because my tongue is swollen. It has affected everything," he explained.
When discussing his faith and its influence on his career, Washington commented, "that's why you pray every day." He reflects on the intentions he believes guided him in his career, stating, "I'm like, okay Lord, I'm here, I think this is what you wanted me to do. Now I'm not sure why, but one can say coincidence and serendipity and all those things."
Although Washington did not elaborate on how he sustained the injury or if he sought medical treatment, he has embraced a religious perspective regarding his current work. He expressed that themes of "jealousy and envy" in Shakespeare's 'Othello,' in which he is currently starring on Broadway, now resonate differently with him.
He stated, "At this point, everything I'm doing is through the lens of what God thinks, not what they think." He noted the portrayal of jealousy and envy in his role, suggesting that the themes have new relevance in today's information age.
