
Dwayne Johnson Gives People’s Champion Award to Make-A-Wish Recipient
By Movieguide® Staff
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was named the People’s Champion at this year’s People’s Choice Awards, but he had his own ideas about who truly deserved the award.
In his acceptance speech, Johnson thanked champion boxer Muhammed Ali, who he called “so kind….so funny.” He then called on an audience member: 2021 PCA’s Make-A-Wish recipient Shushana.
After inviting her to the stage, Johnson said, “I met her earlier. I told her how proud I was of her story. She is a fighter, she has inspired her family and friends. I want to tell you just how much you’ve inspired me and everyone around you and certainly everyone here. I want to give you this because you represent everything that it means to be a People’s Champion — so this is for you.”
The actor gave Ali’s famous quote “The service to others is the rent you pay for the room you have here on earth” as his reason for giving the award to Shushana.
“Thank you for this,” Shushana said. “I didn’t expect this at all. But, I mean, thank you and to Make-a-Wish. I just never expected that something this good could happen. This is crazy.”
Before leaving the stage, Johnson took the time to share one more quote: “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
Johnson follows his own advice; the star has become famous for his charitable donations and work. Movieguide® has previously reported on his donations of water bottles to healthcare workers and XBoxes to children’s hospitals.
Some of Johnson’s movies have been nominated for Movieguide® Awards, including SKYSCRAPER and THE GAME PLAN.