Hollywood A-lister Denzel Washington lashed out at a photographer who appeared to grab at the actor’s suit on the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival on Monday (May 19)
Denzel Washington gave a photographer a piece of his mind at Cannes Film Festival.
The 70-year-old Hollywood titan, who recently stole the show in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2, was seen yelling at a photographer on the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival. The Oscar winner was attending the premiere of his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, on Monday (May 19).
But things took a heated turn and footage showed Denzel confronting a snapper who had grabbed the actor’s arm, likely in a bid to get the star’s attention. Denzel had been walking the red carpet with co-star A$AP Rocky when the incident occurred.
The Equalizer star, who was visibly upset, stepped over to the photographer and jabbed a finger at him. According to a lip reader, the actor warned the photographer not to touch him again. They believe he said: “Hey, one — one more time, stop.
“Let me tell you — stop, stop — never put your hands on me again,” he appears to shout at the snapper, who seemed to have a smile on his face throughout the tense exchange.
“I’m talking to you, stop, all right,’ Denzel continued. Lip reading expert Jeremy Freenam told the Mail Online the photographer appeared to tell Denzel “Not allowed,” before laughing and adding: “Yes, yes, yes.”
He then appeared to lunge at Denzel again and asked: “Can I take a picture?”. The actor seemed to shout back: “Stop, stop it, stop it. I mean it. Stop, stop it.”
Shortly after the incident, Washington was absent from the press conference for his new film, a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low directed by Spike Lee. The film is due for release in cinemas on August 22 and is available to stream on Apple TV+ on September 5.
It had been reported that Denzel had been scheduled to appear at a press conference for the film in the Palais des Festivals. So when he didn’t turn up, it sparked speculation that he’d decided to skip it following the interaction with the photographer.
However, a representative for Washington has confirmed that the actor was “always scheduled to be in and out of Cannes on Monday”. The actor is currently starring in a Broadway adaptation of Othello.
The source told the Daily Mail: “The studio and festival were aware weeks ago, ahead of time, that he would not be available for the press conference today due to his work commitment on the play.”
During the premiere, Denzel was awarded an honorary Palme d’Or, presented to him by his pal and long-time collaborator Spike Lee. Denzel said: “A total surprise for me!”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
