SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was named the People’s Champion at the 2021 People’s Choice Awards – and immediately lived up to the title by giving his trophy to a Make-a-Wish recipient.
>> PHOTOS: People’s Choice Awards 2021 red carpet
According to People magazine and E! News, the heartwarming moment came Tuesday night at the annual awards ceremony in Santa Monica, California. After presenter Jeff Bezos introduced Johnson, praising his kindness, the “Red Notice” star immediately spoke about how the late Muhammad Ali was “the original people’s champion” and “the greatest of all time,” the outlets reported.
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“The last time I saw Muhammad, we were at a Make-a-Wish event, and we were both granting wishes,” Johnson said. “His last words to me were, ‘You keep rumbling.’”
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Johnson then surprised a teen identified only as Shushana, a Make-a-Wish recipient, by calling her to the stage, E! reported.
>> People’s Choice Awards 2021: See the complete list of winners
“She is a survivor,” he said, according to People. “She has fought, literally, for her life. She has inspired her family, her friends, now you guys here, now the world that is watching.”
Showing her the award, he continued: “I want to tell you just how much you’ve inspired me and everyone around you – and certainly everyone here. But 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 stunned teen thanked Johnson and Make-a-Wish, saying she “never expected that something this good could happen,” E! reported.
>> Watch the moment here

Kim Kardashian West, Khloé Kardashian, and Kris Jenner, winners of the Reality Show of 2021 award for "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," pose during the 2021 People’s Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Kim Kardashian West poses during the 2021 People’s Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Scarlett Johansson, recipient of The Female Movie Star of 2021 award, poses backstage during the 2021 People’s Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

JoJo Siwa attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Halle Berry attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Dwayne Johnson attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres pose backstage during the 2021 People’s Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Khloé Kardashian poses during the 2021 People’s Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Kris Jenner poses during the 2021 People’s Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Paris Jackson attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Laverne Cox attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Sydney Sweeney attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

H.E.R. attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Candice Patton attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Nick Viall attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Charli D’Amelio attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams attend the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Kyle Richards attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Tayshia Adams attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Karamo Brown attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Lisa Rinna attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Leslie Jones attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Shawn Johnson attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Chrishell Stause attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Christine Quinn attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Mindy Kaling attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Addison Rae attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Kenan Thompson attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Romain Bonnet and Mary Fitzgerald attend the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Lil Rel Howery attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Porsha Williams attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Madelyn Cline attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Tracee Ellis Ross poses backstage during the 2021 People’s Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Jo Koy and Chelsea Handler attend the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Rocsi Diaz attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Iman Shumpert attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Garcelle Beauvais attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Becky G attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Lili Reinhart attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.

Erika Jayne attends the 47th annual People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 7, 2021, in Santa Monica, California.