The animated film Moana, with music by Lin Manuel Miranda, and starring the incredible Dwayne Johnson, is out this week. I’ll probably see it, just like I’ve been seeing two movies a weekend in the theater ever since the election. (Fantastic Beasts and Arrival were excellent. Dr. Strange was good too.) The escapism bounce is real and instead of buying useless stuff people are actively seeking entertainment. I bet that more people will give to charity this year instead of buying as many gifts as well.
We’ve had a somewhat delightful press tour from Sexiest Man Alive Dwayne The Rock Johnson. It’s been really nice to hear him talk about his humble beginnings, and to learn what a hard worker he is, all while he’s genuinely grateful for his success. There’s a new interview with him in the LA Times and I was particularly touched by the detail that he has his truck sent to him on every film location, just so it’s familiar to him and he can drive himself around. Yes it’s probably expensive but he’s a huge box office draw and in the scheme of celebrity requests it’s practically quaint. He likes to drive himself, he likes his big ‘ol truck because some vehicles feel confining to him (he’s 6’5″) and he will admit that’s a little neurotic. He’s also still managed by his first wife, something I’ve heard before but didn’t realize was still happening and she speaks very highly of him and his career in this piece. Oh and he’s always checking social media because he wants to stay in touch with fans.
Why he devotes so much time to social media
“I’m on everything all day. I’m doing my best. Because here’s the thing. When I was wrestling in flea markets and fairs and used car dealerships in front of 150 people, getting paid $40 a night, I developed a skill to listen. When those 150 people would respond to something, it was like, ‘Let’s go in that direction more.’ I think developing that has helped me.”He stands by his “candy asses” post even though he got flack for it
“I was very clear with what I said. I’ve been in the game a long time. “Would Universal [Pictures] have preferred that didn’t happen? Sure, we talked about it. The irony is after that and as they do their tracking and all their analysis, the interest shot through the roof to a whole other level.”He loves his truck and gets it shipped to him
“I like going to the gym. I like driving my pickup truck and maybe I don’t want to live in Hollywood. Maybe I want to live in Florida in the country… I get [my truck] shipped everywhere. Maybe I’ll get therapy one day for this, but there’s nothing that brings me joy, like, ‘I’m gonna go buy this yacht or Ferrari.’ But my truck is jacked up. There’s an 8-inch lift on it, it has big country tires on it — I call it brown neck. That’s my thing. I’m not into sports cars. I can’t fit into them. And I can’t have people drive me. I don’t like service that way. Maybe I’ll get therapy for that too.
I guess that Johnson’s truck is recognizable too, because he doesn’t switch it up at all and drives it everywhere. Where I live in the south you can’t throw a rock without hitting a big truck like this, they’re really popular. He likes to be accessible to fans and the truck probably helps. In fact last year he shared the sweetest story about three little girls waiting for him for three hours with signs on the side of the road. He stopped and took photos with them and then post the story on social media, because that’s just the kind of guy he is.
As for the “candy ass” post, where he called out a Fast coworker, widely assumed to be Vin Diesel, he later staged a wrestling match with Diesel, leading many people to think the post was a put-on. I think they’re both just savvy about marketing and decided to make it seem like Vin was in on it after the fact.
photos credit: FameFlynet and Pacific Coast News
The Rock is awesome. He gives back to his family, to his communities and to his fans. I love when he posts stories about meeting his fans or doing something for his family. He is a lovely man. And I understand loving your car. I love my Ford Edge so much.
What a doll. Every time I read something about him, I love him more.
My brother in law is a really big guy and he feels the same way about his truck. He says it’s nice to be in a vehicle where your head isn’t touching the roof.
Mmmmm, yes daddy!
Swoon…. Some of my favorite IG posts of his is when he sees fans while he is driving in his truck. And he stops, takes pictures, etc. He is a unique and special celebrity of which I wish there were more. Sexiest man alive… hell yeah!
I love the way he wears a suit; he looks so polished and yet casual. And that bit of tattoo peeking out of the shirt…yummy!
I am relieved that “The Sexiest Man of the Year” is finally, really, a sexy man again. For a few years there it was a hard “No”. He is the only celebrity/actor that I can think of that I believe is a grateful, kind person (due to all the kind things I see him do for fans).
Honk!
ha ha yes, HONK!