While on press tour for Highest 2 Lowest, his latest collaboration with Spike Lee, Denzel Washington has been reflecting on what it means to succeed in the entertainment industry, and he’s not mincing words about how much has changed.
For Washington, two-time Oscar winner and one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, the pursuit of awards has never been the driving force. In a conversation with Forbes’ Jake Hamilton, he shared his thoughts on the coveted Academy Award.
“I don’t do it for Oscars. I really don’t care about that kind of stuff… Man gives the award. God gives the reward. I’m not that interested in Oscars.”
“Man gives the awards, God gives the rewards.”
— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) August 12, 2025
Denzel Washington just casually dropping gold during our interview discussing Oscars and his new movie HIGHEST 2 LOWEST. pic.twitter.com/U3niNYrs7R
It’s a philosophy grounded in decades of experience. Washington acknowledged the unpredictable nature of awards season, saying there have been times he’s won when he “shouldn’t have,” and other times when he’s lost despite feeling deserving. To him, it’s all just part of the game but not the goal.
“On my last day, it ain’t going to do me a bit of good. I don’t think God ever asks, ‘How many Oscars do you have?’”
“You Actually Had to Be Good”
Beyond awards, Washington also shared an observation about the industry’s shifting standards. Speaking with the Associated Press, he contrasted the craft-focused environment he came up in with today’s social media-driven culture:
“You actually had to be good at what you did when I was young… You don’t have to be good now. You just have to be eccentric. You just have to do something stupid. You just have to get people to follow you. And the thing about following is you got to have something when they get there.”
Denzel Washington on today's fame: 'You don't have to be good now' pic.twitter.com/QMlPFDzKDe
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 13, 2025
Washington’s critique isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about the foundation of craft. In his view, the “followers first” mentality risks producing careers built on viral moments rather than skill. When he was starting out, the work had to speak for itself before anyone was paying attention.
Now, he suggests, the attention often comes first, and he’s not wrong.
With Highest 2 Lowest, Washington and Lee reunite to deliver another layered, socially conscious story. But whether or not the film sweeps awards season, Washington’s measure of success is rooted in something far deeper than gold statues.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
