"What made public support so important to begin with?" - Denzel Washington speaks up on cancel culture

Denzel Washington, the veteran Hollywood actor and director, is making headlines.

Recently, The Equalizer star shared his opinion on cancel culture and public approval. While promoting his latest project, Highest 2 Lowest, he revealed that he is not concerned about "being canceled."

During an interview accompanied by his frequent collaborator, Spike Lee, Denzel Washington was asked by Complex News if he ever worried about getting "canceled." The actor quickly questioned the term and said:

"What does that mean — to be canceled?"

To which interviewer Jillian Hardeman-Webb told him that:

"It means you lose public support."

Washington replied:

"Who cares? What made public support so important to begin with?"

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Denzel Washington shares his opinion on cancel culture

The interviewer, Jillian Hardeman-Webb, then said that in today's digital age, "followers now are currency."

Denzel Washington replied:

"I don't care who's following who. 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."

"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 concluded by saying,

"You can't be canceled if you haven't signed up. Don't sign up."

Filmmaker Spike Lee also shared his opinion on cancel culture. As Denzel Washington stretched his arms and laughed with Lee, he told him:

"Don't get me started. You know, chest is getting tight talking about it."

To which Lee said:

"I could care less."

The pair have collaborated on multiple projects over the years, including Malcolm X, Inside Man, He Got Game, and many more.

Denzel Washington's interview went viral, and some of his colleagues took to social media to share their own opinions. Actress Taraji P. Henson, who acted with Denzel Washington in Fences (2016), wrote:

"HE BETTER PREACH!!!! Humans don’t have that kind of power over my ordained life 🤷🏾‍♀️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾. #GODIS #MANAINTIT Have a blessed day 💋💋💋"

Similarly, Jamie Foxx, known for movies like Ray (2004) and Django Unchained (2012), commented:

“PREACH!!!!!"

Miya Bailey, known for producing films like Color Outside the Lines: A Tattoo Documentary (2013) and The World Awaits (2014), also wrote:

“He’s an amazing man.. and a great example."

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Denzel Washington says he doesn't "do it for Oscars"

In another recent interview with Jake Hamilton on Jake's Takes, Denzel Washington talked openly about his disinterest in awards like the Oscars, despite receiving 10 nominations and two wins for Glory (1990) and Training Day (2002).

"I don't do it for Oscars. I really don't care about that kind of stuff."

He added:

"I've been at this a long time, and there's times when I've won, shouldn't have won, didn't win, should have won. Man gives the award. God gives the award."

He concluded:

"I'm not that interested in Oscars. People say, 'Well, where do you keep it?' I say, 'Next to the other one. I’m not bragging! Just telling you how I feel about it. On my last day, [Oscars] aren’t going to do me a bit of good.”

Denzel Washington's Highest 2 Lowest was released in theatres on August 15.

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