When Denzel Washington stepped onto the red carpet at Cannes this week, the spotlight was supposed to shine on his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest.
But what grabbed headlines instead was a fiery moment that left fans stunned—and the actor once again under scrutiny for his off-camera behavior.
In what quickly became the talk of the festival, the two-time Oscar winner was seen pointing a finger at a photographer and shouting “Stop it! Stop it!” before storming away from the press line.
The meltdown was loud, public, and totally unmissable.
What Really Went Down Between Denzel and the Photographer
According to a source close to Washington, things didn’t start out tense.
The insider revealed that Denzel was initially joking with the photographer, playing along in a lighthearted exchange.
But the mood shifted fast when the photographer allegedly took things too far by getting too touchy.
“He was trying to have a little fun at first,” the source said.
“But when the guy kept touching him, Denzel wasn’t having it.
He didn’t want to escalate the situation, so he put a stop to it the best way he knew how—by shutting it down right there.”
Apparently, for Denzel, protecting his personal space is no small thing.
“He’s intense in real life, just like he is on screen,” the source added. “People often can’t tell if he’s in a good mood or not until they’ve already pushed him too far.”
Not the First Time Denzel’s Lost His Cool in Public
This isn’t exactly new behavior for Washington.
Fans might remember a viral video from October 2024 when he snapped at autograph seekers outside New York’s Museum of Modern Art during a benefit honoring Samuel L. Jackson.
In that video, Denzel was visibly annoyed as he tried to enter the building.
After hearing a fan shout out, he turned back and sternly addressed the crowd, saying: “I said I’ll see you when I get out—what part of that don’t y’all understand?”
He continued, raising his voice: “It’s about showing love… or not! We can do it another way.
Or not, we can do it both ways!”
Flashback: When Denzel Nearly Fought Josh Brolin on Set
Even fellow actors haven’t been immune to Denzel’s intensity.
Josh Brolin once opened up about a heated exchange the two had on the set of American Gangster back in 2007.
“I put my hand on his shoulder and said, ‘What’s the line?’” Brolin recalled.
“And he slapped my hand away and said, ‘Don’t ever f***ing put your hand on me.’”
Brolin admitted he was shocked and thought he was about to fight Denzel right then and there.
But it turned out Washington may have just been deep in character, playing the infamous mobster Frank Lucas.
The two actors eventually moved past the incident, and Brolin says they now get along well.
Cannes Exit Wasn’t About the Red Carpet Drama—Apparently
Not long after the outburst, Denzel abruptly left the festival and headed back to New York.
But the source insists his early departure wasn’t a reaction to the incident.
“Denzel had to leave for his Othello production,” the insider explained.
“The timing just worked out in his favor—he didn’t have to stick around and answer questions about what happened.”
According to the source, Denzel’s priority is the film, and he didn’t want Highest 2 Lowest to be reduced to a single moment of conflict.
“Nobody from the movie is mad at him. Spike Lee and all his friends still love and respect him.
What happened on the red carpet doesn’t even register to them.”
Denzel’s Behavior Isn’t Sitting Well With Everyone
Despite his legendary status, Denzel’s run-ins with fans and fellow celebrities are beginning to cast a shadow.
While his performances continue to earn him critical acclaim, moments like these suggest a man who struggles with the spotlight off-stage.
“He feels justified,” the insider said. “His space is always being invaded, and he’s tired of it.”
And this pattern isn’t new. Way back in 2003, Washington reportedly got into a shouting match with Sean “Diddy” Combs during a night out.
Witnesses say Denzel yelled, “You don’t respect anyone!” The two had been seen out together several times in the early 2000s, attending events and NBA games, but their friendship seemed to cool off afterward.
So far, neither Denzel’s team nor Diddy’s reps have commented on that alleged incident.
Will Fans Forgive and Forget?
Denzel Washington remains one of Hollywood’s most respected actors—but even his loyal fans are starting to raise eyebrows over these repeated public flare-ups.
Whether it’s red carpet photographers, fans, or fellow stars, Denzel doesn’t shy away from confrontation when he feels his boundaries are crossed.
Still, with a career full of award-winning roles and a legacy that’s hard to match, many are willing to chalk up these moments as part of his intensity and passion.
Only time will tell whether Denzel’s temper continues to make headlines—or whether he can let his work speak louder than his words.