Dwayne Johnson wins People's Champion Award - and gives it away to make-a-wish teenager

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By Carina Murphy

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Dwayne Johnson has proven once and for all that he truly is the people's champion - by giving his People's Champion Award away.

The Rock was presented with the prize by Jeff Bezos at the People's Choice Awards on Tuesday.

But rather than keep it for himself, the 49-year-old actor called a Make-A-Wish teenager up onto the stage and handed it over to her.

The emotional moment began with Johnson thanking Bezoz - who he called his "tequila drinking buddy" - for the prize before delivering a speech about its first-ever recipient, world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammed Ali.

Johnson - who sported a crimson shirt for the ceremony - then moved on to speak about the Make-A-Wish foundation.

"I've had the pleasure and honor of working with Make-A-Wish over the years and decades," he said.

The professional wrestler-turned-actor then paused before announcing: "There is somebody here tonight from Make-A-Wish. She has no idea I'm doing this. Her name is Shushana... Shushana can you stand up?"

The crowd cheered as the young woman joined Johnson on stage.

"This is a total surprise," he 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."

Handing his statuette over to her, he said: "I want to give you this because you represent everything that it means to be a People's Champion so this is for you."

Johnson then quoted iconic boxer Muhammad Ali, saying: "The service to others is the rent you pay for the room you have here on Earth."

Unsurprisingly, Shushana was totally stunned.

"I didn't expect this at all," she said, thanking Johnson again and again for the prize.

She also thanked the foundation, saying: "Thank you to Make-a-Wish in general. I just never expected that something this good could happen. This is crazy. I never thought that it could end up in this."

Earlier in the ceremony, Bezos introduced Red Notice actor Johnson with a glowing summary of his accomplishments.

"His achievements are legend. His work ethic is unparalleled. He transcends all demographics. He is impossible not to like and he can sure put down a lot of pancakes," said the Amazon founder. "But even with all that, the thing that really stands out the most? He's kind ... you see, kindness is a choice. And what I admire most in Dwayne is his choice to show unwavering kindness to everyone around him."

Kim Kardashian, Christina Aguilera, and Halle Berry also took home awards, winning Fashion Icon, Music Icon, and People's Icon Of 2021 respectively.

Featured Image Credit: Michael Melia / Alamy