actress kerry washington Made a surprising statement about the reality of attending the most high-profile fashion event of the year, the Met Gala. scam The 48-year-old star revealed that due to a wide range of severe food allergies, she resorted to eating her own snacks, specifically jerky, in the venue’s toilet.
The star made this confession during his appearance Jimmy Kimmel Live! on November 20, where he detailed the list of dietary restrictions that prevent him from safely eating the food served at A-list events in Manhattan and around the world.
Kerry Washington’s List of Allergies That Make Evenings Dangerous
when the host jimmy kimmelAsked the Emmy-nominated actress, 58, to explain her intolerance, Washington quickly outlined the many risks she faces at catered events. “Oh my God, how much time do you have? It’s really sad,” Washington said of the situation. His list includes the major food groups and common ingredients found in high-end cuisine: “All seafood. Not just shellfish. All seafood. It’s awesome.” Restrictions make formal meals a threat. “Sesame. Sesame seeds, sesame oil. So hummus out,” she explained. “All nuts except peanuts and almonds. Mango. MSG. …This is ridiculous.”
Why Kerry Washington keeps the jerk in her clutches
With such a wide range of restrictions, Kimmel noted the difficulty of eating at events like the Met Gala, which is held annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Washington confirmed she received proper nutrition and described unconventional, practical solutions to avoid a health emergency. “At all these fancy functions, when they give you plates of food, like at the Met Ball, I’m somewhere in the bathroom eating a quick meal,” she shared.
Hack her language for foreign food
Actress who is married to former NFL player Nannamadi AsomughaShe also detailed her system for managing her allergies while traveling internationally, offering an easy-to-replicate tip for fellow allergy sufferers visiting places like Asia and Europe. “I make cards in the language,” she said. “I went to Hong Kong this summer and I made cards that had pictures of all the things I’m allergic to and (words) in the language. When I travel to places, I have cards made. I can tell you how to say, like, ‘Mai Nam Pla’ – (which) means ‘No Fish Sauce’ in Thai.”
Cooking for the Family: Allergies Don’t Stop Kitchen Fun
Despite her severe reactions to ingredients like fish and sesame seeds, Washington confirmed that she still prepares meals containing these foods for her family, including daughter Isabel Amarachi11, and son Caleb Kelechi, 9, with his stepdaughter. “But the thing is: I’m able to cook everything,” Washington insisted. “I may have to open a window or turn on a fan, but I cook seafood, I cook all the things I’m allergic to. I cook for the family with a lot of sesame oil.” Washington’s personal experience offers a look at how she manages her life: maintaining a healthy lifestyle while also ensuring her family gets a diverse, non-restrictive diet.
This story was originally reported by Parade on November 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a favorite source by clicking here.
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