‘Cancel Culture’ Meets Denzel Washington & He Couldn’t Care Less

Denzel Washington has never been shy about giving reporters direct answers, and that was clear again during a recent press event. While promoting his new film Highest 2 Lowest with director Spike Lee, Washington was asked about “cancel culture.” Instead of offering a long explanation, the Academy Award-winning actor kept it short. “Who cares?” he said.

The exchange happened during a conversation with Complex. When asked what “being canceled” meant, Washington quickly turned the question back at the journalist, saying, “What does that mean, to be canceled?” The reporter responded, “It means you lose public support.” Washington replied, “Who cares? What made public support so important to begin with?”

The discussion continued when reporter Jillian Hardeman-Webb offered that online popularity matters today because “followers now are currency.” Washington then shared how his own outlook is guided by faith. “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. You can’t be canceled if you haven’t signed up. Don’t sign up.”

Washington wrapped up the conversation with a lighter comment. “Don’t get me started. You know, chest is getting tight talking about it. I could care less,” he joked, while Lee laughed beside him. When asked if he cared more about awards like the Oscars, Washington gave the same response: he does not.

Highest 2 Lowest, a modern retelling of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, is currently in a limited theatrical run before its release on Apple TV+ on September 5. While Spike Lee is known for speaking out, it was Washington’s remarks that caught attention.

The actor has pushed back on press questions before, often criticizing the way media shapes public opinion. His comments on cancel culture fit with previous statements where he said he does not measure his career by trophies or supporters.

Washington’s remarks serve as a reminder that not every Hollywood figure views cancel culture the same way. In his case, he made clear that winning approval on social media is not a concern.

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