Denzel Washington weighs in on cancel culture amid 'Highest 2 Lowest' promotions

Denzel Washington is making his stance on cancel culture clear. The two-time Oscar winner, currently starring in Highest 2 Lowest, told Complex that he does not concern himself with public approval or the risk of being “canceled.”

When asked whether he worried about cancel culture, Washington responded, “What does that mean — to be canceled?” After the interviewer explained it meant losing public support, Washington replied, “who cares? What made public support so important to begin with?”

He continued, “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.”

Washington added, “You can’t be canceled if you haven’t signed up. Don’t sign up. Don’t get me started. My chest started hurting. You know, chest is getting tight talking about it.”

This interview comes just days after Washington stated he is “not that interested in Oscars.” Speaking with Jake’s Takes, he said, “I don’t care about that kind of stuff. I’ve been at this a long time, and there’s time when I won and shouldn’t have won and then didn’t win and should’ve won. Man gives the award. God gives the reward.”

Highest 2 Lowest opened in theaters this week and begins streaming on Apple TV+ September 5.