Denzel Washington has made it clear that he wants no part of cancel culture. In a recent discussion, he touched on the idea of being “canceled” and expressed indifference towards public opinion or social media followings.
When questioned about the concept of being canceled, Washington responded skeptically, asking, “What does that mean – it’s being canceled?” The reporter clarified that it refers to losing public support, but Washington retorted, “Who cares? What made public support so crucial in the first place?”
The idea that followers equate to value was mentioned, but he simply replied, “I don’t care who is following who.” For Washington, the pursuit of followers or support carries little significance.
He elaborated, saying, “You can’t lead and follow at the same time. I won’t obey anyone. I choose to follow the spirit of heaven and God, not chase after people. I believe in God and have hope for humanity, yet my observations tell me things aren’t functioning smoothly.”
Washington continued with a light-hearted remark, laughing and leaning back in his chair, saying, “If you haven’t signed up, you can’t cancel it. Just don’t sign up!”
During the interview, he shared these sentiments alongside Spike Lee’s manager. Washington’s casual demeanor seemed to reflect his overall take on the industry and its trends.
Both he and Lee voiced similar thoughts, with Lee commenting, “I couldn’t care much.”
Despite a request for comment from Washington’s representative, there was no immediate response. Throughout his extensive career, Washington has made a lasting impact on Hollywood, including a recent nomination for his role in “Gladiator II,” making him the most nominated Black actor in Golden Globe history.
He previously created some buzz around retirement rumors but clarified, “I didn’t say I was going to retire. I stated that it needs to be at a level that interests me. I’m leaning more towards directing in the next few years.” He went on to explain the complexities of life and how he views it in three parts.
