LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dwayne Johnson has broken his silence after he was met with harsh criticisms for asking people to donate to Maui wildfire recovery fund.
The Hollywood star, alongside Oprah Winfrey, launched the People's Fund for Maui on August 31 and the duo kicked things off by pledging a combined $10 million which, unfortunately, prompted backlash.
The 51-year-old actor who once lived in Hawaii, candidly acknowledged the backlash in a video posted on his Instagram page on Sunday, October 8.
What did Dwayne Johnson say in the video?
“When we first launched the fund, there was some backlash that came with launching the fund, and I want to address that backlash,” he told his followers according to People.
“I get it, and I completely understand, and I could have been better. And next time, I will be better.”
He also said he understands that “money ain’t falling out of the sky, and it’s not growing on trees,” and that many Americans are "living paycheck to paycheck" right now.
"I get it. I know what it's like. I've lived paycheck to paycheck," he continued, adding "When you are living paycheck to paycheck, the last thing you want to hear is someone asking you for money, especially when the person asking you for money already has a lot of money."
Dwayne Johnson said that he could have handled things better
Johnson went on to say that he could have handled things better and that the situation has been a learning experience for him.
"I’ve never launched a fund before, but I’m a quick study," he noted. He also thanked his followers for giving him constructive feedback in the caption accompanying his video.
"You always tell me the truth — good or bad — I’ll always appreciate and protect that straight talk between us — You have my word to always listen, learn, grow and do better," he wrote.
'The Rock' shared a positive update regarding the fund in his video before addressing the criticism.
"I have some great news, some awesome news actually, that I'm very grateful to share with you guys," he said, adding "The thousands and thousands of survivors, the families, have now, over the past couple of weeks, started to receive their first round of funds. They're receiving their money, and I gotta tell you, it's been the most gratifying and moving thing."
Oprah Winfrey said the fund's idea was inspired by Dolly Parton's long history of philanthropy
Johnson and Winfrey, 69, explained in a video at the time of the fund's launch that adults who lost their primary homes in the Lahaina and Kula fires would be eligible to receive $1,200 a month to help them get back on their feet.
Winfrey also shared in the video that the idea for the fund was inspired by Dolly Parton's long history of philanthropy.
"I read this article that Dolly Parton had given money in her community, and I said, 'I think this is the answer,'" said Winfrey, a part-time resident of Maui.
Winfrey and Johnson went on to explain that they wanted the money to go directly into people's hands "with some real immediacy" so they could steer their own recovery journey.
“People being able to have their own agency, being able to make decisions for themselves about what they need and what their family needs — that’s our goal, is to get that to the people now,” Winfrey said.
Internet users react to Dwayne Jonhson's video
Many internet users voiced their opinions after the Hollywood icon spoke about his mistake in the Instagram video.
One X user tweeted, "Apologies accepted but I can't decide". Another wrote, "Dwayne Johnson should have never asked that in the first place."
One user opined, "Good first. Now move there and help them. You could find hundreds of contractors from the mainland. If I could get 10 people with your wealth we could rebuild and improve their lives. Do the right thing", while another said, "Why does he need to apologize; if you can afford to give, then give. If you cannot, then don't. It's really not that big of a deal."
