Acclaimed actress Kerry Washington recently made a surprising and candid confession about the Met Gala, one of Hollywood’s most prestigious nights. Despite the event’s reputation for glamour and elaborate meals, Washington revealed that she often avoids eating there entirely. The reason is a severe and extensive list of food allergies that make dining at the high-profile function a significant and potentially dangerous risk to her health.
Washington shared this personal challenge during a recent television appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, offering a rare and grounded glimpse behind the red carpet curtain. She explained that her dietary restrictions are so numerous and complicated that she has developed necessary, if inconvenient, strategies to ensure her safety at galas and during international travel. Her openness on the matter serves to highlight a common health issue that affects millions, even those in the celebrity sphere.
The actress provided a comprehensive list of the specific foods she must meticulously avoid. At the top of the list is all seafood, which includes all types of shellfish. She is also highly allergic to sesame seeds and sesame oil. She revealed an allergy to most nuts, noting she can only safely consume almonds from that family. Additionally, her problem foods include mango and the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG). Reflecting on the comprehensive nature of her allergies and the impact they have on her experiences, Washington admitted, “It’s really sad,” emphasizing how limiting her situation truly is at lavish gatherings.
This confession shines a light on the practical difficulties of celebrity life for individuals managing serious allergies. While the Met Gala is renowned for its elaborate and custom-designed meals for its A-list guests, Washington’s allergies prevent her from participating in the dining experience safely. The luxurious image of the event stands in stark contrast to the reality for attendees with dietary restrictions.
To ensure she avoids a severe allergic reaction while attending, Washington cannot rely on the event’s menu. Instead, she must proactively bring her own safe food alternatives to major events. Describing this stark adaptation, she revealed the measures she takes to eat privately and safely during galas: she described eating “jerky in a bathroom somewhere.” Her solution demonstrates a necessary level of self-adaptation required for health safety when proper accommodations are not guaranteed, even at such exclusive functions.
Ultimately, Kerry Washington’s candor provides important visibility for allergy sufferers worldwide. She further detailed a strategy for when she travels internationally, which involves creating allergy cards in local languages, often including pictures of forbidden foods to effectively communicate her needs in restaurants abroad. By sharing her methods for managing her health while maintaining her successful career, Washington helps normalize the challenges and necessary adaptations faced by others with similar dietary restrictions.
Here is Kerry Washington’s segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live!:
