Denzel Washington is stepping into a new phase of his life, and he’s not shy about it. After being ordained as a minister, the Hollywood icon is making waves—not just for his spiritual journey, but for shedding light on the darker sides of the industry.
On December 21st, Washington was baptized and received his minister’s license from Bishop James Pullings at Kelly Temple in New York City. Archbishop Christopher Bryant shared the moment, recalling how Denzel told the congregation, “It took a while, but I’m finally here. If God can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you.” The ceremony held extra significance, as the temple was a place Denzel attended as a child.
Now, people are starting to wonder if this spiritual shift means Denzel is ready to leave Hollywood behind. In a recent Esquire essay, he opened up about how tough it is to talk about faith in the entertainment world. “You can’t talk like that and win Oscars. You can’t say that in this town,” he admitted. But Denzel made it clear—he’s not concerned about fitting in. “I’m unafraid. I’m free now.”
It turns out this isn’t a new side of him. Denzel once thought about becoming a preacher but didn’t feel the time was right. Instead, he let his work and the way he lived his life reflect his faith.
Lately, though, he’s been more vocal about what he’s seen in the industry. Denzel has hinted at the compromises some make for fame and success, and he’s not sugarcoating any of it. He’s also shared personal stories of feeling God’s guidance during pivotal moments in his life, reinforcing his belief that he’s on the right path.
With rumors swirling about retirement, one thing seems certain—Denzel Washington is following his faith, wherever it may lead, and he’s not looking back.
“I live not just to do good the right way, but to honor my mother and father in how I carry myself for the rest of my days on Earth. I’m here to serve and help.”
For Denzel Washington, staying true to his principles in Hollywood hasn’t always been easy. He learned pretty quickly that the entertainment industry has a dark side.
In 2014, Denzel got swept up in the Sony email hack scandal. A series of leaked emails exposed a conversation between an unnamed producer and Sony chairman Michael Linton. After the release of The Equalizer, the producer suggested Sony should steer clear of casting Black actors if they wanted better results overseas.
The email bluntly stated that the movie’s international box office might have performed better if a white actor had played the lead.
“I believe the international motion picture audience is racist in general. Pictures with an African-American lead don’t play well overseas.”
But that wasn’t the first time Denzel had encountered Hollywood’s racial biases. When he first arrived in the industry, he noticed a pattern—Hollywood loved to profit off Black trauma, turning it into entertainment. Denzel refused to play those roles. In one instance, he pushed back, telling a producer that if the tables were turned and their community was being mocked, no one would find it funny.
He shared a story that stuck with him:
“There were Jewish people at the audition, and I said, ‘Yeah?’ They said, ‘No, it’s funny. They hang him, and—’ I said, ‘Yeah, like if you bring some Jewish people into a room thinking it’s a shower, but it’s gas.’ They said, ‘Right.’ I said, ‘Right. That ain’t funny.'”
Denzel wasn’t about to let anyone make a joke out of his pain.
“To me, putting a rope around my neck wasn’t funny.”
Still, Denzel never played the victim. Even when the media tried to push that angle, he made it clear he didn’t buy into it.
“People say, ‘Oh, making a movie is hard.’ I’m like, send your son to Iraq—that’s hard. Making a movie is a luxury, a gift. Don’t get it twisted. It’s just a movie.”
He wasn’t afraid to call out Hollywood’s hypocrisy either, and that led to a few rumored feuds.
Take Quentin Tarantino, for example. A lot of people think Denzel’s problem with him started over Django Unchained. But actually, it goes all the way back to the ’90s when Tarantino added lines to Crimson Tide without Denzel’s input.
Tarantino later claimed there was no issue, but interestingly, he never offered Denzel a role in any of his films—even though he’s worked with actors like Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, and Kerry Washington. Some believe Denzel’s subtle criticism of Tarantino’s frequent use of racial slurs in his scripts may have played a part in that.
Now, speaking of Samuel L. Jackson—while Denzel and Samuel have always shown each other respect in public, there’s been quiet talk of tension behind the scenes. Some speculate that Denzel might feel Samuel is too comfortable taking on roles that prioritize a paycheck over principles.
Denzel has always been selective, choosing roles that reflect his values. Samuel, on the other hand, is known for jumping into big-budget franchises and blockbuster hits. While there’s no solid evidence of bad blood, the difference in how they approach their careers has led to whispers about an unspoken rivalry.
Samuel L. Jackson has faced his share of criticism, especially when it comes to playing roles that some say perpetuate negative stereotypes. But despite the backlash, Jackson has been unwavering in his defense of Quentin Tarantino. He argues that it’s impossible for Tarantino to be racist, especially when you look at the complex, powerful characters he writes for Jackson. In his view, Tarantino’s characters are often the smartest and most dignified in the film, not to mention the ones who truly understand life and the world around them. For Jackson, no racist would craft characters with that kind of depth and respect.
Switching gears, there’s been speculation that Denzel Washington isn’t exactly a fan of Tyler Perry’s portrayal of Black families and faith. Although there’s no direct feud, sources close to Denzel have suggested that he’s uncomfortable with how Perry often has Black men dress up as exaggerated versions of Black women. It’s a move that Denzel finds strange. He’s also raised concerns about why Perry’s female leads seem to go through endless trauma and pain, wondering if Black women can ever catch a break in his films. And Denzel isn’t shy about calling out Perry for not having a writers’ room. If Perry had one, he believes the films would be less laden with stereotypes.
As for Oprah Winfrey, Denzel’s relationship with her has had its rocky moments. One of the most notable incidents was during an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996 when Oprah’s probing questions about how many women were after Denzel made his wife, Pauletta, uncomfortable. Pauletta was sharing what it was like to be married to one of Hollywood’s most coveted actors, but Oprah’s questioning crossed a line, and Denzel hasn’t forgotten how it made his wife feel.
After decades in Hollywood—witnessing all its shadows and dealing with its dark side—it makes sense that Denzel, at 70, might be looking for something more grounded. Turning toward ministry seems like a natural progression, especially after all the pressures, exploitation, and hypocrisy he’s experienced in the industry. His shift from Hollywood’s leading man to minister feels like a journey towards purpose and alignment with his values. What do you think about Denzel’s transition from the bright lights of Hollywood to a more spiritually fulfilling life?