Hollywood
Muscle man with a heart: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson brings a sick girl onto the stage at the awards ceremony
Actor Dwayne Johnson
© Faye Sadou / Picture Alliance
Billionaire Jeff Bezos gave an ardent eulogy for the award winner Dwayne Johnson – but he passed the laurels on to two people he personally admires.
He’s a muscleman who rarely gives the faint hearted in his films – but in real life actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one of the good guys. He shows that again and again, whether with large or small gestures. The fans love him for that, and so they chose him as the winner of the “People’s Choice Award” 2021. The Hollywood giant (literally 1.96 meters) was awarded the prize by none other than Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The billionaire was almost sympathetic in his laudation: “His successes are legendary. His work ethic is incomparable. He speaks to all kinds of people. It is impossible not to like him – and he can eat a lot of pancakes,” praised he sly Dwayne Johnson.
The actor was visibly touched by the honor, but didn’t want to just accept all the flowers. Instead, he dedicated the award to his idol, the late boxing legend Muhammad Ali. “For everyone who knows or doesn’t know: the real hero of the audience was the world’s greatest Muhammad Ali,” said Johnson. “I first met Muhammad when I was a little boy and he was so cool. He was friendly and he was funny. He was just wonderful in my eyes.”
Dwayne Johnson dedicated the award to two idols
For the last time before his death, he met the boxer at a “Make a Wish” event, at which celebrities fulfill their hearts’ wishes for seriously ill children. And the 49-year-old used his presence at the award ceremony to do something nice in this regard as well: He invited a young girl on stage, Shushana, who had also participated in “Make a Wish” and whose great wish it was was to witness the “People’s Choice” awards live in the audience. The girl had not previously suspected that she would not only sit in the audience, but even spontaneously come to Johnson’s stage.
And that wasn’t all. The actor said how impressed he was with the fighting spirit and energy of the sick girl: “She is a fighter who is a real inspiration to her family and friends. I want to tell you how you encourage me and everyone around you around – and everyone who is here today, “he says. And then he presented Shushana with the award he had just won – because the brave girl deserved it much more than he did himself.
Jeff Bezos may not be right about everything he thinks and says – but when he said it was next to impossible not to like Dwayne Johnson, he was right.
Source: “Daily Mail”