For over a decade, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been a powerhouse in the world of entertainment. From his time as a WWE superstar to his current acting career, Johnson has been a huge philanthropist through it all.
The star’s contributions to the entertainment industry and his commitment to various charitable initiatives has earned him the honor of receiving the People’s Champion Award at this year’s People’s Choice Awards.
This isn’t the first time Johnson has gone by this moniker, though. In fact, the star was once close to Muhammad Ali, a professional American boxer, who was nicknamed “The People’s Champion.” Once Ali gave Johnson permission to also go by this name, the rest was history.
In an interview with USA Today Sports, “The Rock” explained how it all came about. “I started calling myself The People’s Champion in honor of him. When I was wrestling in Louisville, Kentucky, his family came to watch me wrestle, and I talked to his wife and said ‘please tell Muhammad it’s only out of respect that I call myself that. And I’ll stop it right now if he doesn’t like it.’ She said ‘oh no, he loves it. He wants you to call yourself that,'” Johnson said.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will formally be crowned the People’s Champion at the 2021 People’s Choice Awards. According to Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events, Specials and E! News, the star is the perfect fit for this title.
“Dwayne is one of the most beloved actors of our time who has achieved unprecedented success throughout his career. During a period where there has been a lot of uncertainty, Johnson has displayed an uncanny ability to raise spirits and make people smile despite circumstances,” Neal said. “His philanthropic efforts and international social media presence has made him a cultural leader and inspiration to many, making him the perfect recipient for The People’s Champion Award of 2021.”
Johnson has scored nominations in a variety of categories, including Male Movie Star, Male TV Star and Social Media Star. The star has been nominated for 15 People’s Choice Awards in the past and has won two overall.
A total of 40 categories make up the award show, featuring nominees like Florence Pugh, Eddie Murphy, Emma Stone, Adele, Lil Nas X, Kylie Jenner and many more. The 47th People’s Choice Awards will air on Tuesday, Dec. 7, simultaneously on E! and NBC.