In a candid and bold interview as usual, global star Denzel Washington affirmed that he does not fear cancel culture nor pays much attention to public opinion or awards, but places his faith in God first. In a filmed interview with director Spike Lee – his longtime colleague – he was asked if he fears cancellation, to which he replied sarcastically: “What does it mean to be canceled?” When the interviewer explained that it relates to losing audience support, Washington responded: “Who cares? Who said people’s support matters that much?” The two-time Oscar winner added: “I don’t measure my worth by followers, awards, or people’s approval.

I don’t follow anyone; I follow the divine spirit and believe in God, and I have hope in humanity, but look around, things are not going well.” With a humorous tone, he said: “You can’t be canceled if you never signed up in the first place… don’t start with me, my chest already hurts just talking about it.” Despite being nominated for nine Oscars and winning two (for Glory and Training Day), Washington confirmed that awards do not matter to him, saying in a previous interview with Variety: “I don’t work for the Oscars… I don’t care about these things… Sometimes I won the award without deserving it, and sometimes I deserved it and didn’t win… Humans give the award, but God gives the reward.” He continued: “They ask me: Where do you keep your Oscars?

I say: Next to the others… I’m not saying this boastfully, just clarifying my perspective… On my last day, these awards won’t help me at all.” Currently, Denzel Washington is preparing to release his latest film Highest 2 Lowest, his first collaboration with Spike Lee in nearly 20 years, where he plays a famous music producer caught in a complex kidnapping. The film is produced by A24 and Apple and is a modern reimagining of the Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s film High and Low. In the end, Denzel Washington reminds the world with a clear message: fame and awards are fleeting, but faith and truth are what create the true legacy—and his voice, it seems, cannot be silenced.