Kaylah Walton
Actor Denzel Washington was involved in a tense situation on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, which rapidly gained attention on social media.
While he posed alongside director Spike Lee and rapper A$AP Rocky to promote his new movie, ‘Highest 2 Lowest‘, a photographer attempted to gain his attention by touching his arm.
Denzel Washington, noticeably angry, shook off the photographer’s touch and assertively requested him to refrain from this behavior: “Stop, stop!“
This occurrence at Cannes is not an isolated event in Denzel Washington’s career. In October 2024, at a gathering in New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the actor experienced a tense moment with photographers and fans seeking autographs.
Although the interaction started off friendly, it soon became awkward as some guests overstepped their bounds, prompting Washington to highlight the necessity of respect and patience.
These incidents illustrate Denzel Washington‘s clear position on personal boundaries and the importance of maintaining them in public environments. Regardless of these challenging episodes, his impact on the film industry is undeniable, as shown through the acknowledgment he received at Cannes.
Denzel Washington honored with surprise honorary Palme d’Or
The American actor was awarded an Honorary Palme d’Or on Monday, which took him by surprise at Cannes. Washington, 70, was unaware that he would receive this accolade when he attended the festival for the premiere of ‘Highest 2 Lowest‘.
Spike Lee commented mysteriously into the microphone, as festival artistic delegate Thierry Fremaux approached with a box, alongside event president Iris Knobloch.
Denzel Washington is the honorary Palme d’Or, Fremaux announced, inciting a roaring applause and cheers from the audience.
With great excitement, the actor requested the audience to take their seats so he could address them, admitting that the recognition had genuinely surprised him.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you all (…) We are incredibly fortunate to be in this room where we can create films, don tuxedos and elegant attire while getting paid for it. I feel immensely blessed,” he expressed.
Cannes typically honors multiple individuals with an honorary Palme d’Or at each event—sometimes, as in this instance, unexpectedly—and this year, the only known honoree was actor Robert De Niro, who already accepted the award during the opening ceremony.
