Dwayne Johnson shares moment he realized fame had turned him into an 'a**hole'
Topics: Celebrity, Dwayne Johnson
Chelsea Connor
Featured Image Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage/George Napolitano/FilmMagic/Getty
Topics: Celebrity, Dwayne Johnson
When you finally hit the glitzy world of fame, and can have anything you desire all of a sudden, it must be pretty hard to stay grounded and keep your ego in check.
And it seems that even the most loved, humble stars have struggled with fame getting to their heads at some point.
In 2020, Dwayne Johnson took to Instagram to answer a popular question asked by fans: "Do [you] hate being famous or love being famous?"
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The actor gave some insight into how 'cold-blooded' fame can make a person 'if you let yourself buy into your own fame'.
The former wrestling pro went on to share the moment he realized fame was turning him into an 'a**hole'.
He wrote in the caption: "I started to become as a**hole about my fame when I was a famous pro wrestler in my 20s, (and I wore a fanny pack) until one fateful night changed my perspective and self awareness and GRATITUDE for the rest of my life."
In the video, Johnson explained: "I was out having dinner one night and I saw fans getting excited at another table and knew they were getting ready to come over."
The star said they eventually made their way over to his table and were 'so nice'.
He added: "They probably had no idea that they were part of a defining moment of my life."
After agreeing to take a photo with the starstruck fans, Johnson said: "But how I said yes was a psychological play, like I was playing chess, because I said yes, but in a way that made them feel bad."
The Hollywood star continued: "In that moment, their demeanor changed, their energy changed.
"They went from excited, and, 'sorry' but really excited, to then they felt bad. I have goosebumps now thinking about it.
"They said, 'We’re so sorry. You know what? Bad idea'. The wife is hitting the husband, 'See? I told you we shouldn’t come over'."
He proceeded to take the photos and signed their menus but quickly came to a realization.
Johnson continued: "It took all of 30 seconds, not even 30 seconds, for me to realize that I had an opportunity to make somebody feel good, and I made them feel bad.
"And what an a**hole that made me. And what an a**hole, rightfully so, that made me feel like."
He then made the decision to try and put himself in the fans' position, and try to think how he would feel if he met one of his heroes, which quickly changed his mindset.
The actor admitted: "I told myself I would never ever make anyone feel bad again for coming up to me."
Johnson said that was the defining moment for him that he's 'glad happened earlier on in his career' and is now unbelievably grateful to meet each of his fans.