Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, once adored by fans for his charisma and larger-than-life personality, is now facing a wave of backlash. From a string of questionable podcast appearances to a tone-deaf fundraiser, and most recently, his reputation as a walking advertisement, the world’s “fakest celebrity” has seen his public image crumble. For the first time ever, The Rock’s Instagram following has declined, and many point to his endless stream of lies—ranging from his movie earnings to fast food consumption—as the primary cause.
A Web of Lies: The In-N-Out Burger Debacle
One of The Rock’s most bizarre lies revolves around something as trivial as a fast-food burger. In 2017, he posted a photo on Instagram claiming, “I’ve never been to In-N-Out before.” Not a significant statement until five years later, in August 2022, when he posted a video claiming, once again, that it was his “very first time trying an In-N-Out burger.”
Then, in December 2023, The Rock made the claim a third time, pretending that he had never tried fast food before. This time, he added that he didn’t even know the lingo or how to pay, followed by a self-congratulatory mention of leaving a massive tip. Critics were quick to call out the inconsistency, forcing The Rock to change the description of his Instagram post, acknowledging fans who reminded him he had been to In-N-Out years ago.
Black Adam’s Box Office Deception
The Rock’s credibility took another major hit with the release of Black Adam in 2022. After its theater run, Insider reported the film would face significant losses, needing $600 million to break even but likely stalling at less than $400 million globally. However, just three days later, The Rock contradicted this, claiming the film would profit between $52 and $72 million, citing a Deadline article that was based on information The Rock allegedly leaked himself.
The truth eventually came out: Black Adam was a financial disappointment, leading to accusations that The Rock had been “cooking the books” to inflate the movie’s success.
The Rock’s False Fitness Claims
Perhaps the most damaging to The Rock’s image are his falsehoods about diet and fitness. For years, he’s claimed to consume 6,000 to 8,000 calories a day, a figure debunked by fitness experts like Greg Doucette. Doucette calculated The Rock’s diet to be closer to 3,000 calories and noted that if The Rock were truly eating 8,000 calories daily, he’d be significantly overweight.
The Rock also posted an “intense” leg workout, which Doucette criticized, pointing out that the weights used would be a “cakewalk” for someone of The Rock’s size and strength. Furthermore, The Rock’s most glaring lie is about his steroid use. Despite claiming he hasn’t used steroids since he was 18, experts like Eddie Hall and Joe Rogan have speculated that he is using more than just hormone replacement therapy, given his size and physique, especially as he approaches 50.
A Walking Billboard: Overexposure and Tone-Deaf Fundraising
Critics have also taken issue with The Rock’s relentless self-promotion. Many of his Instagram posts are sponsored, and whether he’s celebrating a wrestling match or trying fast food, he always seems to plug his own tequila brand. Even a seemingly wholesome video of him greeting fans on a tour bus turned out to be an advertisement for his business ventures.
The situation worsened when The Rock and Oprah Winfrey launched a fundraiser for victims of the Maui fires, contributing $5 million each and asking the public to donate. The backlash was swift, with fans pointing out that the two could easily afford to donate more without asking for public help. Despite his sizable contribution, The Rock felt compelled to apologize, admitting he could have handled the situation better.
WWE’s Most Disliked Video
The final blow to The Rock’s reputation came from his involvement in WWE. In January 2024, after becoming a WWE board member, The Rock inserted himself into a long-running feud between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, which had been building for years. Fans expected Rhodes to face Reigns for the championship, but instead, The Rock replaced Rhodes in the storyline—only 10 days after joining the board. This move sparked outrage among wrestling fans, leading to the most disliked video in WWE history, with over 700,000 dislikes. The backlash was so intense that the storyline was later rewritten, with Rhodes eventually defeating Reigns.
The Rock’s First Loss of Followers
After years of being Hollywood’s most beloved star, The Rock is now losing followers for the first time ever. Just 12 months ago, he was gaining 5 million Instagram followers per month, but his recent string of lies, controversies, and out-of-touch actions have severely damaged his image. What was once seen as The Rock’s undeniable charisma has now been overshadowed by the perception that he is more of a corporate product than a genuine person.
In the end, The Rock’s carefully curated image is crumbling under the weight of his own falsehoods. While he may still be physically strong, his reputation as Hollywood’s fakest celebrity has never been more apparent.
