Online Reporter
Denzel Washington’s monumental Cannes meltdown, which saw him scream at a photographer, has left fans all over the world shocked and dismayed.
Washington’s glittering premiere of new movie Highest 2 Lowest Monday was overshadowed by the two-time Oscar winner losing his cool, jabbing his finger in the face of one of the snappers and shouting ‘Stop it! Stop it! and storming off.
His red carpet meltdown is the latest in a series of public outbursts from the actor — who famously told Josh Brolin ‘don’t ever f*****g put your hand on me!’ during a tense moment filming 2007 film, American Gangster, and shouted at autograph hunters in October 2024.
An insider has now dished exclusively to the Daily Mail on how Washington’s initially playful encounter with the press turned volatile, and why the actor’s strong morals compelled him to lash out so publicly.
They said: “When it comes to the moment at Cannes, Denzel was initially playing with the photographer and the photographer wanted to extend the jokey nature and continue the moment with Denzel, but it instantly became more serious when the photographer continued to touch him.
“Rather than escalate, Denzel made sure to get the photographer back in line and end the situation before it had any chance to continue into something much more, which is why Denzel scolded him and walked away.
“Denzel is an intense dude, both on set and in real life, and these photographers are not always polite and respectful.
“Lots of people misjudge Denzel and don’t know if he is in a good mood or not until it is too late. He isn’t one to give you a long leash when you are just out to get something from him.
“He feels justified in these outbursts because his personal space is always being compromised.”
Following the outburst Washington abruptly left Cannes Film Festival to return to New York City, but the source says his departure was unrelated to the red carpet incident. — Mailonline.
