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Sure, Dwayne Johnson is a massive movie star with hits in just about every genre. However, fans appreciate the man he is behind the camera more than his big-screen success. In the following, we'll examine the moment that caused DJ to change his approach with the fans, along with taking a look at a great moment of the way celebs should handle fans approaching them.
Dwayne Johnson Admitted One Moment Changed His Perspective About Interacting With Fans
We really can't imagine Dwayne Johnson ever snubbing a fan, however, he states that a certain negative experience in the late-'90s changed his entire approach to meeting fans.
According to the star, it was a major turning point, "I’ll never forget it because this moment became my teachable moment and a great lesson that I took with me for life."
Johnson stated that a couple worked themselves up and gathered the courage to approach him, however, his reaction caused immediate regret for the fans.
"I said yes, 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. So I said ‘...Sure. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Come on. Sit down.’ And 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."
Looking back, DJ stated that all it took was 30 seconds and in that small time frame, his approach wasn't the correct one. "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 asshole that made me."
After playing the scenario over in his head, DJ revealed he would never make a fan feel like that again. "After that, I told myself I would never ever make anyone feel bad again for coming up to me."
He's a man of his word and that was very apparent years later when leaving a Beverly Hills restaurant.
Dwayne Johnson Actually Took Time To Listen With Fans After Leaving A Beverly Hills Restaurant
The candid moment has nearly one million views on YouTube. It is truly the simplicity of it all that had fans loving DJ that much more. When stars leave restaurants, they're usually focused on leaving the scene ASAP. If they do stop for pictures, rarely will they say anything or make conversation. Now that's the beauty of The Rock, not only did he stop for photos, but he was present at the moment.
That held true when a fan requested a photo due to his birthday, in which DJ obliged. An older gentleman would also enter the mix and what was so great is the fact that DJ actually listened to every word the man had to say, without rushing him off.
Fans applauded DJ for his attitude and approach.
"He was listening so carefully with the older gentleman, that can’t be faked. The look in his eyes and respect. That’s why he’s so likable."
"Class act..never forget to give back to his fans. Whilst many hurried away, he spare a thought to these fans for willing to wait for him. Wish him a long career..love the man."
"What a humble man. Even taking the time to say hi and chat with fans after having dinner. Super cool dude!"
Fans agree, DJ handled things the right way, something other celebs should take note of.
The Real Reason Dwayne Johnson Interacts With Fans
So why does DJ interact with fans the way he does? Simple, as he stated alongside Jamie Foxx, it is the most important and real relationship he'll ever have.
“It’s the most important relationship I have. It is with the people. Because I reached a point in my career, I was tired of trying to be something I wasn’t. So I was told at that time, listen, ‘You can’t talk about wrestling, you can’t go by The Rock, you can’t be as big.’ Yeah, it was a lot of things like that,” Johnson said.
It is clear, DJ not only did things the right way, but he did it his way.
