A red carpet encounter between Denzel Washington and a photographer has gone viral. Now, it’s sparking a broader conversation: is it ever okay to touch someone, regardless of your credentials, without consent?
What happened at Cannes
At the Cannes Film Festival, Washington was seen taking photos with rapper A$AP Rocky and director Spike Lee when a photographer reached out and grabbed his arm. While the photographer smiled, Washington did not; he leaned in and appeared to say phrases like “one more time” and “stop.”
A self-proclaimed professional lip-reader told the New York Post that the Oscar-winning actor also said, “Never put your hands on me again.”
After the Cannes encounter, some speculated Washington skipped a press event for his new film “Highest 2 Lowest” due to the incident. A representative told the Daily Mail that the actor planned to appear in Cannes only on Monday, May 19 — his only day off from performing in the Broadway production of Othello.
Where’s the line between access and invasion?
Red carpets and public events often blur the line between professional engagement and personal space.
Etiquette expert Shenise Truesdell, owner of The Behavior Etiquette Institute, told Straight Arrow News that in high-profile spaces, “people are often under intense scrutiny and pressure — and every gesture matters.”
She emphasized that people should always assume personal boundaries are in place unless invited otherwise.
“Many people assume physical touch is warranted … but you should never assume that physical touch is a default mode of professionalism — especially when dealing with someone you don’t know,” she said.
The internet weighs in
Some social media users were quick to support Washington’s reaction.
“This wasn’t attitude — it was boundaries. And boundaries are overdue,” one X user posted.
“People are too comfortable, since when is it appropriate to grab someone, not even once but twice, without their consent ? It’s not, him being a celebrity doesn’t make it right,” another X commenter wrote.
Why etiquette still matters
Truesdell added that etiquette isn’t just about old-school manners — it’s about mutual respect.
“Ultimately, etiquette isn’t about old-fashioned rules … it’s about creating environments where people feel safe, seen, and respected. Touching someone without permission, even in a moment of enthusiasm or admiration, crosses a line that etiquette teaches us to recognize and honor.”
Not the first time boundaries were crossed
At the 2012 “Men in Black 3” premiere, Ukrainian prankster Vitalii Sediuk kissed Will Smith after reaching in for a hug. Smith responded by slapping him on the cheek.
Sediuk had another run-in in 2016—this time with model Gigi Hadid. While leaving a fashion show, he picked her up without warning, and Hadid elbowed him in response.
Justin Bieber also has a history of altercations with photographers. A notable example occurred in 2013 when a 19-year-old Bieber lunged at a paparazzo in London after exiting his vehicle. His security team intervened and dragged him back into the car.
