BlacKkKlansman star John David Washington is being lauded as the son everyone hopes to have after his interview with NBC journalist Craig Melvin.
During the interview, Melvin asked John David what it was like being the son of Denzel Washington, to which John David quickly responded with big ups to his mother.
“And Pauletta Washington, who was earning more money than she was before they got married,” he said. “She was on Broadway working, she paid for the first date, paid the bill, paid the cab ride, classically trained pianist, went to Julliard. She’s a great artist in her own right, and I learned a lot from her.”
“My father taught me how to hunt. My mother taught me how to love,” he continued.
The video was captured by and posted to the Jasmine Brand’s Instagram page, and it’s since gone viral on Instagram and Twitter.
It’s great that John David didn’t take that omission lightly. Even though Melvin’s exclusion of Pauletta was more than likely an honest mistake, he inadvertently negated Pauletta’s contributions to her son’s life and talents. Aside from her work on Broadway, Pauletta also has several film and TV credits. She is currently starring in the TV show reboot of She’s Gotta Have It as Miss Ella Chisholm and has been featured in The Watsons Go to Birmingham, The Parkers, Beloved and Purlie, among others. Her pianist skills are also featured in the Antwone Fisher soundtrack.
In short, John David was letting Melvin and everyone else know to put some much-needed respect on Pauletta’s name.
