Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson admitted his early days of fame turned him into an 'a**hole', and there was one moment in particular that made him realize it.
Between his football success, WWE fame, acting roles, chat show appearances and general social media fame, it's safe to say The Rock is one of the best-known celebrities on the planet.
Johnson, now 52, was in his early 20s when he first rose to fame through football and wrestling, during which time he made his debut with the World Wrestling Federation.
In an interview with Men's Health in 2020, Johnson recalled that when he hit the ages of 25 or 26, he realized he 'couldn't go anywhere' due to how famous he was.
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"This is where fame can be tricky, it can be deceptive," Johnson said, adding: "You have to be careful not to get sucked into the vortex of it, because it created this reality for me back then, 25 or 26 years old, and the reality it created was: 'Holy s**t, I can't go anywhere! I'm so famous that I can't go anywhere!'
"I'm going to the waffle house, the arena, the rental car dealership, fans are there... I'm like The Beatles, Elvis, Jesus. This happened every single day. And when it happens every day, you have to be careful not to get mixed up in it."
It was during those early days that Johnson had the interaction that forever changed the way he spoke to fans.
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In the interview, he recalled being out for dinner when a couple of fans came over and asked for his autograph. He remembered saying 'yes', but doing so in a way that made the fans feel guilty for bothering him.
Looking back, Johnson said: "It took all of 30 seconds for me to realize 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..."
Knowing a simple smile from the famous wrestler could have made the fans' day, Johnson resolved: "After that, I told myself I would never, ever make anyone bad for coming over to me."
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Having only got more and more famous since those earlier days, Johnson said in 2020 that he now considers himself 'blessed' with the fame he has.
"The fame I had back then pales in comparison to what I have today," he said. "Now, rather than appreciating the fame, I appreciate the fans more."
Topics: Dwayne Johnson, Celebrity, Wrestling, WWE, Social Media
Emily Brown