While promoting his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, Denzel Washington sat down with Complex and offered his unfiltered thoughts on cancel culture — and why he refuses to be concerned with public opinion.
When asked if he worries about being “cancelled,” the legendary actor didn’t hesitate to brush off the idea.
“What does that mean, cancelled? It means you lose public support. Who cares? What made public support so important to begin with?”
Washington challenged the modern obsession with online validation, particularly the notion that followers equal influence. “Followers now are currency,” the interviewer suggested. But Denzel wasn’t buying it.
“I don’t care who’s following. 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.”
The two-time Academy Award winner made it clear that his values are rooted in faith rather than popularity. “I have faith in God. I have hope in man. But look around — it ain’t working out so well,” he said.
Washington argued that cancel culture has no power over those who never subscribed to chasing clout in the first place.
“Forget being followed. You can’t be cancelled if you haven’t signed up. Don’t sign up.”
Though delivered with his trademark calm intensity, Washington admitted the subject frustrates him. “Get me started… my chest getting tight talking about it. I could care less.”
In a cultural climate where social media approval can make or break careers, Washington’s words are a reminder that not everyone measures success by trending hashtags. For him, staying grounded in faith and purpose matters far more than online acceptance.
Source: Complex
