LOS ANGELES, Aug 17: Denzel Washington shared his candid perspective on cancel culture while discussing his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, with Complex News.

When asked if he worries about being “canceled,” the actor responded with a question of his own: “What does that mean — to be canceled?” After the interviewer explained that being canceled means losing public support, Washington simply said, “Who cares?”

Sitting alongside frequent collaborator and Highest 2 Lowest director Spike Lee, Washington questioned the importance of public approval. “What made public support so important to begin with?” he asked.

When told that followers are now considered currency, Washington gave a firm reply. “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 have faith in God. I have hope in man, but look around, it ain’t working out so well.”

He added, “You can’t be canceled if you haven’t signed up. Don’t sign up.” Laughing, he told Lee, “Don’t get me started. You know, chest is getting tight talking about it.” Lee echoed Washington’s sentiment, stating, “I could care less.”

This isn’t the first time Washington has expressed indifference toward public opinion. In a conversation with journalist Jake Hamilton on Jake’s Takes, the Oscar-winning actor emphasized that he does not focus on awards.

“I don’t do it for the Oscars,” he said. “I really don’t care about that kind of stuff. I’ve been at this a long time, and there are times when I’ve won, shouldn’t have won, didn’t win, should have won. Man gives the award. God gives the reward. I’m not that interested in the Oscars.”

He added humorously, “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 do me a bit of good.”