Featured Image Credit: Chris Van Vliet/YouTube
Topics: John Cena, WWE, Social Media, Twitter, Celebrity, Entertainment, US News, Instagram, Film and TV, Podcast
Liv Bridge
Topics: John Cena, WWE, Social Media, Twitter, Celebrity, Entertainment, US News, Instagram, Film and TV, Podcast
If you haven't noticed, John Cena follows an awful lot of people on Twitter.
The 47-year-old WWE star boasts almost 15 million followers on the social media platform and has a rather humble bio that reads: "A forum of thoughts and perspectives designed to ignite conversations and actions leading to growth, and occasional self promotion. #NeverGiveUp #RiseAboveHate".
He also links out to the Make A Wish Foundation's fundraiser page.
Yet unlike many celebs who tend to follow a select few, or even none at all if you're the frontman of a UK rock band (Oasis' Liam Gallagher), Cena has followed hundreds of thousands of people.
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To be exact, 950,900 accounts, of which I happen to be just one of the lucky chosen ones.
Hundreds raced to Reddit to rejoice over the seemingly random notification, delighted by the mental image of The Marine star sat on Twitter and following them out of appreciation of their posts.
Some say they still brag to their friends about their celebrity follower, though dozens of others have questioned if it's really Cena behind the account or if, quite miserably, it's a bot doing all the leg work.
Meanwhile, he follows no one at all on Instagram.
Now, the 16-time world champion has revealed why he follows so many people to the TV host and podcast wrestling expert, Chris Van Vliet.
While touching upon his role in the 2024 comedy movie, Ricky Stanicky, starring Zac Efron and Andrew Santino, he asked Cena why he treats the two social media platforms differently.
Cena said: "Because Instagram is an interpretive exercise. I don't want to lead the witness by following anyone."
"Because if I follow Bill Gates," he explained, "OK, well, this is curating the experience for me and I may feel a certain way about Bill Gates so I feel a certain way about these images."
Well, that and if you have millions of eyes on you from around the world, being seen to 'unfollow' someone can send an unintended message, as Justin Bieber found out last week when fans thought his unfollowing of his wife, Hailey Bieber, meant something.
Anyway, as for why he follows so many strangers on Elon Musk's social networking site, Cena suggested it comes down to breaking free from echo chambers and having an open mind.
He continued: "Twitter is a conversation starter and how do you start a conversation?
"Follow everyone, people you know nothing about, walks of life you know nothing about, people that don't share your views, people who speak out harshly against your value system, people who live within your value system, follow everyone because then people can engage with, 'Hey I was thinking this today'.. Go for it."
The TV host also told Cena it 'makes people's day when they see that you follow them', to which the actor suggested is perhaps 'another' reason he does it, saying: "There's a little shred of gravity in that too."
He also revealed his Twitter drafts are 'almost like a journal', explaining that he puts out so many thoughtful messages on his account after feeling inspired by the 'wisdom from others' and writing it down.
However, as for choosing who he follows, Cena said: "If you got a blue check mark, that's a go-to for me. You're in and I want you in the conversation."
Well, at least it's not a bot.
He also told WIRED last month that he will continue to follow 1,000 people a day, so you could be next.