Lip Reader Reveals What A$AP Rocky Said to Denzel Washington Right Before Getting in Photographer’s Face

People cannot stop talking about Denzel Washington’s appearance on the red carpet at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival for the world premiere of the actor‘s Spike Lee collaboration, Highest 2 Lowest.

The A-List star was seen getting in the face of a photographer right after rapper A$AP Rocky said something to him. Now, a professional lip reader is sharing what Rocky asked Washington right before the spat with the paparazzo occurred.

Nicola Hickling is a lip-reading expert and founder of LipReader, a company specializing in lipreading and expert witness reports. Hickling has also spearheaded the development of innovative technologies and services that empower individuals with hearing impairments.

While on the carpet at the film festival, Rocky noticed a pushy photographer who looked to be ticking Washington off. According to Hickling, when the “D.M.B.” hitmaker walked over and put his arm around the Training Day star he said: “Do you wanna make a comment to him?”

Washington replied: “I do” and took a couple of steps towards the photog and pointed his finger, saying: “Woah, woah, woah. What’s up? Can we stop, just stop? You put your hand over the line! You gotta stop it! I’ve warned you. Stop it, right? OK?”

As Washington turned to walk away, the photographer tells him, “I actually missed you,” and grabs his arm. The actor then turned around, pulled his arm away and demanded, “Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop!”