A public service announcement for all Millennials out there: If you were offended by an interview Dwayne Johnson did last week then relax, it turns out that you don't have to be.
The Rock stirred up controversy when he allegedly did an interview with a British tabloid newspaper, slamming the so-called 'Snowflake Generation', stating that they were moving society "backwards" and destroying what "so many men and women fought for".
However, the actor recently took to social media to set the record straight, claiming that the interview with the Daily Star never happened.
Talking directly to the camera, the Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle star insisted it wasn't in his nature to insult a group and said the whole 'interview' was fabricated.
Johnson stated: "I can’t believe I have to do this again and set the record straight on something again, but I'm happy to do it. Earlier today online, an interview dropped with me — apparently, it was with me — where I was insulting and criticising millennials. The interview never took place. Never happened, never said any of those words. Completely untrue. 100 per cent fabricated, I was quite baffled when I woke up this morning."
He continued: "You know, I’ve gained such a great trust and equity with all you guys all around the world over the years and you know it’s not a real DJ interview if I’m ever insulting a group, a generation, or anyone because that’s not me, that is not who I am and that's not what we do.
"So to the millennials, the interview never happened. To the plurals, the baby boomers, the Snowflake Generation - I don't even know where that term came from - the Tequila Generation, that's a generation I just started. That's a good one, you'll want to join it - I always encourage empathy, I encourage growth, but most importantly, I encourage everybody to be exactly who they want to be."
The famed wrestler captioned the video: "Settin’ the record straight. The interview never happened. Never said those words. 100 per cent false. If I ever had an issue with someone, a group, community or a generation — I’d seek them out, create dialogue and do my best to understand them. Criticizing ain’t my style. I don’t cast stones and we all get to be who we."
In the seemingly fake interview, Johnson was reported to have accused the 'Snowflake Generation' of looking for a reason to be offended, stating: "So many good people fought for freedom and equality – but this generation are looking for a reason to be offended. If you are not agreeing with them then they are offended and that is not what so many great men and women fought for."
"We thankfully now live in a world that has progressed over the last 30 or 40 years. People can be who they want, be with who they want, and live how they want. That can only be a good thing – but generation snowflake or, whatever you want to call them, are actually putting us backwards."
There has been no comment from the Daily Star on the incident so far, but they have removed the article from their website.
According to a report from The Guardian, the staff at the newspaper suggested the supposed interview was provided to the tabloid by a freelance journalist and then written up by the staff reporter whose byline appeared on the piece. The unnamed freelance reporter is believed to be abroad and not responding to messages.
So, Millennials. False alert: you can all go back to adoring Dwayne Johnson now.