Denzel Washington Says ‘Who Cares’ About Cancel Culture: ‘You Can’t Be Canceled If You Haven’t Signed Up’

Denzel Washington isn’t afraid of cancel culture.

When the legendary actor was asked if he considers being “canceled,” in an interview with Complex News, Washington clarified, “What does that mean — to be canceled?”

After being told by interviewer Jillian Hardeman- Webb, “it means you lose public support,” Washington replied, “Who cares?”

“What made public support so important to begin with?,” he added, while promoting his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, alongside frequent collaborator and director Spike Lee.

In response, Hardeman-Webb replied that “followers now are currency” — however, Washington still wasn’t moved.

“I don’t care who’s following who,” he said. “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 reiterated that he doesn’t care about being “followed,” adding, “You can’t be canceled if you haven’t signed up. Don’t sign up.”

The Oscar winner began to laugh and stretch his arms as he told Lee, “Don’t get me started. You know, chest is getting tight talking about it.”

Lee echoed a similar sentiment and added, “I could care less.”

Taraji P. Henson, who saw a video clip of the interview posted to the Instagram account for Complex, commented, “HE BETTER PREACH!!!! Humans don’t have that kind of power over my ordained life 🤷🏾‍♀️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾. #GODIS #MANAINTIT Have a blessed day 💋💋💋”

Washington has proven in recent days that he’s not one to be moved by public opinion.

During a recent conversation with journalist Jake Hamilton on Jake’s Takes, Washington confessed he’s not pressed about receiving Academy Awards.

The actor, who has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won two throughout his decades-long career, explained that he doesn’t focus on those type of accolades. “I don’t do it for Oscars,” he said. “I really don’t care about that kind of stuff.”

Washington continued, “I’ve been at this a long time, and there’s times when I’ve won, shouldn’t have won, didn’t win, should have won. Man gives the award. God gives the award. I’m not that interested in Oscars. People say, ‘Well, where do you keep it?’ I say, ‘Next to the other one.’ ”

“I’m not bragging. I’m just telling you how I feel about it. On my last day, it ain’t going to me a bit of good,” he concluded.

Highest 2 Lowest is out now.