English comic and late-night speak present host James Corden made headlines just lately after he made a seemingly inappropriate joke about veteran British actress, Dame Judi Dench.
Corden, 46, took the stage on the eleventh Breakthrough Prize gala in Los Angeles on April 5, 2025, the place he shared:
“Tonight is the one night time that Hollywood and science come collectively, apart from after all that one magical night the place Dr. [Anthony] Fauci had a one-night stand with Dame Judi Dench.”
Dr. Anthony Stephen Fauci, 84, is an American physician-scientist and immunologist who served because the director of the Nationwide Institute of Allergy and Infectious Illnesses from 1984 to 2022. He’s additionally the previous White Home chief medical advisor and the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
James Corden’s joke about Dame Judi Dench, 90, on Saturday, raised eyebrows on the occasion with the viewers showing visibly shocked, based on the Each day Mail. American actress and director Olivia Wilde seemed to be shocked because the digicam reduce to her, the outlet reported. The viewers did not chuckle on the joke both and there was an ungainly silence, the publication claimed.
Neither Dame Judi Dench nor Dr. Anthony Fauci was in attendance on the occasion. They’ve additionally not addressed James Corden’s comment on the time of writing.
James Corden has beforehand confronted controversy for joking about Harvey Weinstein
In 2017, James Corden hosted the amfAR Gala in Los Angeles the place he joked concerning the s*xual assault allegations in opposition to American movie producer and now-convicted s*x offender, Harvey Weinstein.
“It’s a phenomenal night time right here in LA. So stunning, Harvey Weinstein has already requested tonight as much as his lodge to present him a therapeutic massage. It has been bizarre this week although, watching Harvey Weinstein in scorching water. Ask any of the ladies who watched him take a shower,” Corden said again then.
He added that Harvey Weinstein “wished to come back tonight,” however “sadly he’ll accept no matter potted plant is closest.”
Actor-producer Tom Hanks, actress-singer Kate Hudson, and singer-songwriter Fergie who attended the occasion reportedly reacted in disbelief, Each day Mail reported on the time. Different members of the viewers reacted with a groan. In response, James Corden said:
“I do not know if that groan was since you appreciated that joke or don’t love that joke. If you happen to don’t love that joke, you must in all probability depart now.”
The Gavin and Stacey star was criticized by social media customers in addition to Rose McGowan, one of many accusers of Weinstein. Within the wake of this, James apologized by way of X and wrote,
“S*xual assault isn’t any laughing matter. I used to be not attempting to make gentle of Harvey’s inexcusable habits, however to disgrace him, the abuser, not the victims. I’m really sorry for anybody offended, that was by no means my intention.”
Over the weekend, the 2025 Breakthrough Prize gala was a star-studded affair and was hosted by Corden. Attendees included Hollywood A-listers Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow, Drew Barrymore, Lizzo, Christina Aguilera, Paris Hilton, Gal Gadot, Gayle King, and Katy Perry.
Tech magnates Invoice Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, additionally made appearances. The ceremony acknowledges contributions within the scientific discipline with “main futures from the leisure, sports activities, know-how, and enterprise,” as per Each day Mail. It was held in an area plane hangar referred to as Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California.
Notably, James Corden and Dame Judi Dench appeared collectively within the 2019 musical, Cats. She additionally attended his CBS speak present, The Late Late Present with James Corden.