Spike lee reacts to longtime pal denzel washington’s spat with photographer on cannes red carpet

EntertainmentSpike Lee reacts to longtime pal Denzel Washington’s spat with photographer on Cannes red carpetBy Eric TodiscoPublishedMay 20, 2025, 12:05 p.m. ET

Spike Lee wants no part in Denzel Washington’s messy red carpet behavior.

The director, 68, participated in the “Highest 2 Lowest” press conference at the Cannes Film Festival Tuesday and subtly addressed Washington’s awkward red carpet exchange with a

photographer.

“The last time I was in this room, I had to apologize for a f–k up,” Lee said in reference to when he spoiled the 2021 Palme d’Or winner as the Cannes jury president.

“But I won’t be apologizing today for a f–k up,” Lee added.

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guestMiley Cyrus reveals she suffered 'traumatic' medical emergency during major show13Spike Lee attends the “Highest 2 Lowest” press conference on May 20. CLEMENS

BILAN/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Washington, who stars in Lee’s new movie, skipped the press conference that was held one day after his viral confrontation.

The neo-noir crime thriller marks Washington, 70, and Lee’s fifth collaboration, after “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990), “Malcolm X” (1992), “He Got Game” (1998) and “Inside Man” (2006).

At the press conference, Lee admitted that he and Washington may never collaborate again.

BILAN/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock13Spike Lee gives Denzel Washington an Honorary Palme d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. AP

“This is the fifth one we’ve done together,” the screenwriter said. “It has been a blessing, this body of work between us, doing films that people love. And I think this is it.”

“He’s been talking about retirement,” Lee added of Washington. “But five films together: that’s good, they stand up.”

REUTERS

Lee also said that he thought Washington deserved to win an Oscar for his performance in “Malcolm X” over Al Pacino for “Scent of a Woman.”

“What he did with that film was amazing,” said Lee. “No disrespect to my brother Al Pacino — I love him. But Denzel in my opinion should have won.”

Washington and Lee were together at Monday’s “Highest 2 Lowest” red carpet premiere, alongside the film’s stars Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky and Ilfenesh Hadera.

Lee and A$AP Rocky on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet. FilmMagic13“Highest 2 Lowest” director Spike Lee, producers Jason Michael Berman and Alan Fox, and cast members Denzel Washington,

Jeffrey Wright, Elijah Wright, A$AP Rocky, Ilfenesh Hadera, Wendell Pierce and Aubrey Joseph at the Cannes red carpet premiere. REUTERS

But Washington caused a ruckus when he approached a group of photographers and yelled at one of them.

Expert lip reader Jeremy Freeman told the Daily Mail that Washington said to the photographer, “Hey, one — one more time, stop.”

“Highest 2 Lowest” red carpet. Getty Images13Denzel Washington yells at a photographer at Cannes. Getty Images

“Let me tell you — stop, stop — never put your hands on me again. I’m talking to you, stop, all right,” the “Gladiator II” star also allegedly shouted.

Freeman claimed that the photographer said to Washington, “Not allowed,” before cracking a smile.

After the photographer grabbed Washington’s arm and asked him, “Can I take a picture?,” Washington responded, “Stop, stop it, stop it. I mean it. Stop, stop it.”

The Post has reached out to Washington’s reps for comment.

Later that evening, Washington was in good spirits when Lee surprised him with an honorary Palme d’Or award from inside the theater before the film’s premiere.

“This is my brother right here. I love him, I love him. I’m glad you’re here where all the people love you too,” Lee told Washington on the stage.

Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. via REUTERS

“This is a total surprise for me so I’m a little emotional, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all,” Washington said to the crowd. “It was a great opportunity to collaborate with

my brother once again — brother from another mother, Spike.”

Washington has yet to address his red carpet exchange.

He’s currently starring in “Othello” on Broadway alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. They had a show on Sunday and have another on Tuesday.

Filed underactorscannescannes film festivalcelebrity fightsdenzeldenzel washingtonfightsfilmsred carpetspike lee5/20/25Read NextWhich cities is Billie Eilish hitting on her

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