Denzel Washington, the acclaimed actor and director, expressed his indifference towards public opinion and the concept of being “cancelled.”
In a video interview with director Spike Lee, a frequent collaborator, Washington was asked if he feared being “cancelled.” He responded with a question, “What does ‘cancelled’ mean?”
When the interviewer clarified it meant losing public support, Washington simply replied, “Who cares?” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
He further questioned the importance of public support, stating, “Why was it ever so important?”
Washington elaborated on his priorities, saying, “I don’t care about who follows whom. You can’t lead while following and vice versa. I follow no one but the heavenly spirit. I follow God, not man. My faith is in God. I have hope in man, but clearly, that’s not going so well,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
He added, “You can’t be cancelled if you don’t sign up for it. Don’t sign up. Don’t get me started, it’s stressful just talking about it.”
With nine Academy Award nominations and two wins for Glory and Training Day, Washington remains unfazed by such accolades.
In a recent Variety interview, he mentioned, “I don’t seek Oscars. I don’t care for those things. I’ve been doing this long enough to know wins don’t always reflect merit. Man gives awards; God gives rewards.”
He continued, “I’m not fixated on Oscars. People ask where I keep them. Well, next to the other. I’m not boasting, just sharing my perspective. On my last day, Oscars won’t matter.”
Washington and Lee’s latest project, Highest 2 Lowest, marks their fifth collaboration and first in nearly two decades. The film, now in US theaters, is a modern take on Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, featuring Washington as a music mogul caught in a ransom scheme.
