Denzel Washington Rips Cancel Culture: ‘What Does That Mean?’

Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington ripped the concept of cancel culture and the value placed on social media fame in a recent interview with Complex magazine.

During a heated discussion on the topic, the “Training Day” actor expressed disgust with the concept of being “cancelled,” stating that he does not put much stock in social media followers or public support. When asked if he considers the idea of being “canceled,” Washington quickly shot back with, “What does that mean, to be cancelled?”

When the Complex interviewer explained that it means losing public support, and potentially losing business opportunities due to views or comments, Washington issued a blunt response. “Who cares? What made public support so important to begin with?”

The reporter followed up by telling him that “followers now are currency,” to which he replied, “I don’t care who’s following who.”

The two-time Oscar winner reiterated that to him, chasing after followers or seeking public approval does not mean much. “You can’t lead and follow at the same time, and you can’t follow and lead at the same time,” he said. “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 takes questions from reporters at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival

He added, “You can’t be canceled if you haven’t signed up. Don’t sign up.”

After that, Washington leaned back in his chair and began laughing, saying, “Don’t get me started. My chest started hurting. You know, chest is getting tight talking about it.”

The “Glory” actor made the comments while sitting next to veteran director Spike Lee, who has never been shy about voicing his own political views. Lee agreed with Washington’s sentiments, saying, “I could care less.”

Washington, 70, held onto his status as one of the biggest stars in Hollywood when he recently took home a Golden Globe award for his performance in “Gladiator II,” a performance that generated high praise for Washington, less so for the film as a whole.

Throughout his career, Washington has largely remained out of the political fray and has opted to quietly endorse candidates, if he does so at all. While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter last year, Washington expressed his belief that “both sides” of the political aisle are “manipulating” the American people for their own gain.

It’s all politics. All promises unkept. And now with the information age the way it is — if anything — left, right, whatever had better learn how to use those tools to manipulate the people. There was a great line in the first movie I did, [1981’s] Carbon Copy: ‘Power to the people? Yeah, they had it once — it was called the Stone Age.’”

“We’re all slaves to information now. We really are. We’re all slaves. So whatever you feel about the leaders, like this guy’s crazy or the other one is sane, you’d better realize you’re being manipulated by both sides. Period,” Washington added. “Yeah. So go to the movies.”