Denzel Washington Isn't Worried About Cancel Culture Or ‘Chasing An Oscar'
Denzel Washington, the legendary Hollywood actor, isn't letting cancel culture get to him. Best known for his roles in films like Cry Freedom, Malcolm X, Man on Fire, Deja Vu, American Gangster, Unstoppable and Gladiator II, the 70-year-old actor mentioned that he couldn't care less about the public opinion of him and he doesn't think that public support is that important.
While promoting his latest film Highest 2 Lowest, alongside director and his frequent collaborator, Spike Lee, he was asked if he cared about being cancelled. During an interview with Complex News, the Oscar-winning actor inquired about what being 'cancelled" meant. The host explained that it meant someone losing public support. Without missing a beat, Denzel quipped, 'Who cares?"
He added, 'What made public support so important to begin with?" The interviewer then pointed out that in today's world, 'followers are currency". But the actor was still not convinced. He said, 'I don't care who's following who. Okay? You can't lead and follow at the same time, and you can't follow and lead at the same time. I don't follow anybody."
Denzel Washington Only Follows God
The only thing that the 70-year-old actor follows is God. Denzel Washington added, 'I follow the heavenly spirit. I follow God, I don't follow man. I have faith in God. I have hope in man, but look around, it ain't working out so well." He doubled down on his initial thoughts, mentioning that he doesn't care about being followed. 'You can't be cancelled if you haven't signed up. Don't sign up," he explained. Following the serious discussion, Denzel and Spike Lee started laughing, with the Training Day actor stretching his arms and telling the director, 'Don't get me started. You know, chest is getting tight talking about it."
His comments drew praise from the online community. Actress Taraji P. Henson took to the comment section of the video and wrote, 'HE BETTER PREACH!!!! Humans don't have that kind of power over my ordained life. #GODIS #MANAINTIT Have a blessed day." Actor-comedian Jamie Foxx penned, 'PREACH!!!!!" Film producer Miya Bailey said, 'He's an amazing man.. and a great example."
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Denzel Washington Isn't 'Interested' In Oscars Either
In another of his promotional interviews, Denzel Washington shared that he doesn't care about winning prestigious awards like the Oscar. During his appearance on Jake's Takes, the actor, who has been nominated ten times and received two over his five-decade-long career, said, 'I don't do it for Oscars. I really don't care about that kind of stuff. I've been at this a long time. There's times when I won and shouldn't have won, and shouldn't have won and won. Man gives the award. God gives the reward. I'm not that interested in Oscars."
Highest 2 Lowest: Cast And Plot
Directed by Spike Lee, the neo-noir thriller is an English reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 Japanese film High and Low, which, in turn, is loosely based on the 1959 novel by Ed McBain, titled King's Ransom. Set in New York City, the film follows the life of an aspiring rapper, Yung Felony, played by A$AP Rocky, who is the son of Denzel Washington's character, David King. He runs a successful record label, called the Stackin Hits, and is the heir of the legendary record producer and composer Quincy Jones.
Besides the two leads, the film features Ice Spice in her debut role, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Potts, Dean Winters, Jensen McRae and John Douglas Thompson, among others. Highest 2 Lowest was released theatrically on August 15, and after a limited run on the big screens, the neo-noir thriller will be available for streaming on Apple TV+ from September 5 onwards.
First Published:
August 16, 2025, 16:49 IST
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