Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson wins Entertainer of the Year at the NAACP Awards
Last night Dwayne Johnson won big at the NAACP awards taking home 'Entertainer of the year'. The People’s Champ topped fellow 'Entertainer of the Year' nominees Beyoncé, Chance the Rapper, Viola Davis and Regina King.
He had been nominated for 'Entertainer of the Year', 'Outstanding actor in a Comedy Series' for "Ballers" and 'Outstanding Character Voice Over Performance' for Maui in Disney's MOANA.
In his acceptance speech he dedicated his award to his late Grandfather High Chief Peter Maivia and his Father Rocky Johnson. You can watch his acceptance speech here
Presented annually, the NAACP Image Awards is recognized as America's preeminent multi-cultural awards show from an African American point of view. The event celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors. Honorees, presenters, performers and social justice advocates have included many of the major celebrities in America as well as international political figures and dignitaries.
The NAACP award comes 2 days after he wrote a lengthy post on Social Media in response to recent comments made by Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank about Donald Trump.
Plank praised Trump for being a “pro-business president” and said he was a “real asset to this country” in an interview with CNBC. That statement has elicited a response from many of Under Armour’s athletes including NBA star Steph Curry
The Rock blasted the Under Armour CEO calling his words 'divisive & lacking in perspective'
The rest of his statement below:
We don’t partner with a brand casually. I partner with brands I trust and with people who share my same values. That means a commitment to diversity, inclusion, community, open-mindedness and some serious hard work. But it doesn't mean that I or my team will always agree with the opinion of everyone who works there, including its executives. Great leaders inspire and galvanize the masses during turbulent times, they don't cause people to divide and disband.
My responsibility here is not only to the global audience we serve, but also to the thousands of workers who pour blood, sweat, and tears into making Under Armour strong. A diverse group of hardworking men and women who possess integrity, respect and compassion for one another and the world they live in. Debate is healthy. But in a time of widespread disagreement, so is loyalty. I feel an obligation to stand with this diverse team, the American and global workers, who are the beating heart and soul of Under Armour and the reason I chose to partner with them.
My commitment is as real as my sweat and callouses that thicken daily. #CommittedToThePeople
Great to see someone in his position using the platform that he has to speak out on issues that affect People of Colour.
Finally - all the best to The Rock, Auli'i Cravalho, Opetaia Foa'i & the MOANA team who are nominated for TWO Academy Awards - Best Animated Feature & Best Original Song 'How Far I'll Go' at the Academy Awards on February the 26th.
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