On Monday, August 11, Denzel Washington attended the New York City premiere of his newest film, Highest 2 Lowest, accompanied by his wife, Pauletta Washington. The event took place at the Harvey Theater within the Brooklyn Academy of Music, marking a celebrated public moment for the couple and highlighting the focus keyword, Denzel Washington New York Premiere.
Their joint appearance emphasized the strength of their relationship, which has endured for more than 40 years. At 70 years old, Washington was supported by Pauletta, 74, whose steadfast encouragement has been pivotal throughout his career while she continues her own work in the entertainment world.
Rekindling a Creative Partnership with Spike Lee
The premiere marked a significant reunion between Washington and director Spike Lee, as Highest 2 Lowest is their first collaboration since 2006’s Inside Man. This project is their fifth joint effort, with their collaboration beginning in 1990 with Mo’ Better Blues and including influential films such as Malcolm X (1992) and He Got Game (1998).
Talking to the media at the event, Lee, 68, described Washington’s role in reigniting this partnership, noting that the actor sent him the film’s script, to which he responded, “Let’s go.”
The movie interprets the 1963 Japanese crime thriller High and Low, by Akira Kurosawa, but relocates the story to present-day New York City. Lee elaborated on the film’s core message:
It’s really about morals and the choice people make, and also the tagline from the poster [that is something] Denzel says in the film: ‘All money ain’t good money.’
—Spike Lee, Director
Featuring A$AP Rocky, Highest 2 Lowest had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May before its limited theatrical release on August 15. It will become available for streaming on Apple TV+ starting September 5.
Pauletta Washington’s Enduring Advocacy
Pauletta’s presence highlighted her vital role as her husband’s most devoted supporter. Earlier this year, she publicly defended Washington’s performance in the Othello revival, which was notably excluded from Tony Awards nominations despite co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
When questioned about the snub, she remarked with a laugh,
Now see, that’s not something you want to ask me,
and added,
I can’t say that I was surprised that they didn’t.
Pauletta went on to explain,
In my family we’ve been through this a lot of times… And I think I can speak honestly and truthfully and artistically that it was denied, you know, so you wonder why. But we don’t have to wonder why: It’s narrow-minded people that are in charge of making decisions and judgments.
—Pauletta Washington, Actress and Advocate
The Couple’s Journey Together
Denzel and Pauletta’s story began in 1977 on the set of the television movie Wilma: The Wilma Rudolph Story, although their romantic relationship started the following year. Their early courtship included memorable moments, such as Pauletta declining Washington’s marriage proposal twice before accepting on the third try.
Washington recalled in a 2013 interview,
She turned me down, she said no,
and added,
And since it was three times, that means she turned me down twice.
—Denzel Washington, Actor
The couple married in June 1983 and renewed their vows in 1995 in South Africa, with Archbishop Desmond Tutu officiating the ceremony. They have four children—John David, Katia, and twins Olivia and Malcolm—who have all followed paths in the entertainment industry.
The Premiere’s Cultural Significance
This event not only reunited Washington and Lee creatively after 16 years but also underscored themes of moral complexity and social reflection relevant today. The collaboration bridges decades of cinematic history, from Kurosawa’s original vision to a modern context set in New York City, appealing to both longtime fans and new audiences.
With its limited theatrical release and upcoming streaming debut, Highest 2 Lowest is positioned to generate critical discussion and further exemplify the artistic synergy among iconic figures like Washington and Lee. Pauletta’s continued advocacy highlights the personal stories and resilience behind the success, further enriching the film’s premiere narrative in New York City.
