The actor called the sweet interaction "the best part of fame" on Instagram
Dwayne Johnson says inspiring others is the "best part of fame."
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Red One star shared a video on Instagram of a sweet interaction with a fan — named Jonny Cleasby — who told the actor that he spurred on his weight loss.
"You inspired me to lose 60 pounds since January. There's nothing more to me than what you do. I think that you're awesome," Cleasby told Johnson, 52, while shaking his hand.
"Thank you so much. I appreciate that. So tell me about your journey," the Moana voice actor responded.
"Every day, running and weights," Cleasby explained. "I used to look bigger, but I definitely slimmed a lot down. Listening to you every day, listening to other people… but you were the most inspiring to me." He also noted that he has purchased "all" of Johnson's "gear" on his fitness journey.
The two went to take a photo together, after which the actor thanked him for sharing his story and then engulfed him in a hug.
The former wrestler reflected on the encounter in the heartfelt caption, writing, "I know, I know this may sound corny… but you guys hear me say this all the time when it comes to things like this… meeting people and hearing about their journeys of weight loss, mental health struggles, fitness, dealing with loss, anxiety, depression, hard times etc etc., moments Iike this become my profound reminder that this is the best part of fame."
Johnson also shared an inspirational message in the caption of the video. "Keep up the great work Jonny Cleasby, not only have you changed your life, but your journey will change many lives who you’ll go on to touch, as you roll on down the road of life," he wrote.
In an interview published on Sept. 12, the actor spoke with Entertainment Weekly about his understanding of masculinity ahead of the release of Moana 2, in which he reprises his role as Maui alongside Auli’i Cravalho, who voices the titular character.
"The idea of asking for help is actually a superpower," he told the outlet. "Masculinity, to me, is not being tough. It's not being a badass. Powerful masculinity is having the confidence to look inside and say, 'This is what I'm feeling, and it's okay. Here's my chest. I'll gladly rip it open to someone who can help me.' "
Johnson related those traits to his demigod character, saying, "When I got to Maui, I was like, 'Okay, I know who this is.' "
He continued, "This guy who is very presentational, who puts on a show, who loves to hold court, sing and dance, and make people feel good. But there's a lot that's brewing deep down that, eventually, he is going to have to contend with because it's like a ball that you're holding underwater. Eventually, you've got to let the ball go, and it's going to explode."
The Quran - Chapter Nuh: 21
˹Eventually,˺ Noah cried, “My Lord! They have certainly persisted in disobeying me, and followed ˹instead˺ those ˹elite˺ whose ˹abundant˺ wealth and children only increase them in loss,
