The latest: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, 49, had a memorable evening Tuesday at the 2021 People’s Choice Awards at the the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, as he was presented with the People’s Champion award by Jeff Bezos, 57

‘But even with all that, the thing that really stands out the most? He’s kind … you see, kindness is a choice. And what I admire most in Dwayne is his choice to show unwavering kindness to everyone around him.’

The wrestler-turned-actor, who was nicknamed the People’s Champion during his time in the WWE, paid tribute to Ali, who died at 74 in June of 2016.

‘For those who may know or for those who may not know, the original people’s champion was the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali,’ the Red Notice star said. ‘I first met Muhammed when I was a little boy and he was so cool to me. He was so kind and he was so funny. He was always wonderful to me.’

He recalled how he got permission to use the moniker from Ali’s widow Lonnie Ali: ‘She said, “He told me to tell you you are the people’s champion, you have earned it, you take that title.”

Looking good: Johnson donned a silk orange top with maroon pants and matching shoes at the event

Smart: Bezos was clad in a grey pinstriped suit over a black top as a surprise presenter

The wrestler-turned-actor, who was nicknamed the People’s Champion during his time in the WWE, paid tribute to Ali, who died at 74 in June of 2016

Embrace: The titans of entertainment and industry enjoyed a hug at the show

Main man: Johnson dedicated the honors to the late Muhammad Ali; and Shushana, a recipient for the Make-a-Wish foundation

‘Years later to be standing here with you guys, you voted me the People’s Champion, the irony is not lost on me because I realize that what it means to be the People’s Champion is so much bigger than me. You treat people good, you treat people kind. You take care of people. You’re inclusive of people, all people, all colors, it doesn’t matter.’

Johnson said that he last saw Ali ‘at a Make-a-Wish event’ where they ‘were both granting wishes,’ and that ‘his last words to [him] were, “You keep rumbling.”’

Johnson then welcomed Shushana onto the stage, noting that her wish was to attend the award show, and presenting her with his trophy.

Nice gesture: He passed his trophy along to Shushana, a recipient for the Make-a-Wish foundation

Congratulations: He said of Shusana, ‘She is a fighter, she has inspired her family and friends’

Delighted: Shushana thanked Johnson in accepting the honors and said, ‘I didn’t expect this at all’

‘This is a total surprise,’ he said. ‘I met her earlier. I told her how proud I was of her story. She is a fighter, she has inspired her family and friends. I want to tell you just how much you’ve inspired me and everyone around you and certainly everyone here.

‘I want to give you this because you represent everything that it means to be a People’s Champion so this is for you.’

Johnson quoted Ali in saying, ‘The service to others is the rent you pay for the room you have here on earth.’

Shushana thanked Johnson in accepting the honors and said, ‘I didn’t expect this at all.

‘Thank you to Make-a-Wish in general. I just never expected that something this good could happen. This is crazy. I never thought that it could end up in this, survive something.’

Johnson wrapped up in saying, ‘It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.’

Popular: The A-list film star entered to a huge ovation at the award show in Southern California

Photo opportunity: Johnson posed with Chase Stokes and Jonathan Daviss at the event

Pals: Johnson posed with Ellen  DeGeneres at the Hollywood event on Tuesday

2021 People’s Choice Awards: WINNERS

People’s Champion Award

WINNER: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Fashion Icon Award

WINNER: Kim Kardashian

Music Icon Award

WINNER: Christina Aguilera

People’s Icon of 2021

WINNER: Halle Berry

Kouture: Kim Kardashian was given the fashion icon award

MOVIES

THE MOVIE OF 2021

Black Widow – WINNER

Coming 2 America

F9: The Fast Saga

Dune

No Time To Die

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

The Tomorrow War

Venom: Let There Be Carnage

THE COMEDY MOVIE OF 2021

Coming 2 America

Free Guy – WINNER

He’s All That

Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard

Jungle Cruise

Space Jam: A New Legacy

Thunder Force

Vacation Friends

THE ACTION MOVIE OF 2021

Black Widow

F9: The Fast Saga

Godzilla vs. Kong

No Time To Die

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – WINNER

The Suicide Squad

The Tomorrow War

Venom: Let There Be Carnage

THE DRAMA MOVIE OF 2021

A Quiet Place Part II

Cruella – WINNER

Dune

Fatherhood

Halloween Kills

In The Heights

Old

Respect

THE FAMILY MOVIE OF 2021

Cinderella

Luca – WINNER

Raya and the Last Dragon

The Boss Baby: Family Business

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

Tom and Jerry

Vivo

Yes Day

THE MALE MOVIE STAR OF 2021

Chris Pratt, The Tomorrow War

Daniel Craig, No Time To Die

Dwayne Johnson, Jungle Cruise – WINNER

Eddie Murphy, Coming 2 America

John Cena, F9: The Fast Saga

Ryan Reynolds, Free Guy

Simu Liu, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Vin Diesel, F9: The Fast Saga

If you small… Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson beat out nemesis Vin Diesel to earn the male movie star award for Jungle Cruise

THE FEMALE MOVIE STAR OF 2021

Awkwafina, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Charlize Theron, F9: The Fast Saga

Florence Pugh, Black Widow

Jennifer Hudson, Respect

Leslie Jones, Coming 2 America

Margot Robbie, The Suicide Squad

Salma Hayek, Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard

Scarlett Johansson, Black Widow – WINNER

Golden: Scarlett Johansson won female movie star for Black Widow

THE DRAMA MOVIE STAR OF 2021

Anthony Ramos, In The Heights

Emily Blunt, A Quiet Place Part II

Emma Stone, Cruella

Jamie Lee Curtis, Halloween Kills

Jason Momoa, Dune

Jennifer Hudson, Respect

Kevin Hart, Fatherhood – WINNER

Timothée Chalamet, Dune

THE COMEDY MOVIE STAR OF 2021

Dwayne Johnson, Jungle Cruise – WINNER

Eddie Murphy, Coming 2 America

Emily Blunt, Jungle Cruise

Leslie Jones, Coming 2 America

Melissa McCarthy, Thunder Force

Octavia Spencer, Thunder Force

Ryan Reynolds, Free Guy

Salma Hayek, Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard

THE ACTION MOVIE STAR OF 2021

Charlize Theron, F9: The Fast Saga

Chris Pratt, The Tomorrow War

Daniel Craig, No Time To Die

Florence Pugh, Black Widow

John Cena, F9: The Fast Saga

Scarlett Johansson, Black Widow

Simu Liu, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – WINNER

Vin Diesel, F9: The Fast Saga

 

TV

THE SHOW OF 2021

Cobra Kai

Grey’s Anatomy

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Loki – WINNER

Saturday Night Live

The Bachelor

This Is Us

WandaVision

THE DRAMA SHOW OF 2021

Outer Banks

9-1-1

Cobra Kai

Grey’s Anatomy – WINNER

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

The Equalizer

The Walking Dead

This Is Us

THE COMEDY SHOW OF 2021

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Grown-ish

Never Have I Ever – WINNER

Only Murders in the Building

Saturday Night Live

Ted Lasso

The Upshaws

Young Rock

THE REALITY SHOW OF 2021

90 Day Fiancé

Bachelor In Paradise

Below Deck

Jersey Shore: Family Vacation

Keeping Up with the Kardashians – WINNER

Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The Real Housewives of Atlanta

End of an era: Kim and Khloe Kardashian along with momager Kris Jenner accepted the reality show of 2021 award for Keeping Up With The Kardashian’s final season

THE COMPETITION SHOW OF 2021

America’s Got Talent

American Idol

Dancing With The Stars

RuPaul’s Drag Race

The Bachelor

The Bachelorette

The Masked Singer

The Voice – WINNER

THE MALE TV STAR OF 2021

Anthony Mackie, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Chase Stokes, Outer Banks

Dwayne Johnson, Young Rock

Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso

Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live

Norman Reedus, The Walking Dead

Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us

Tom Hiddleston, Loki – WINNER

THE FEMALE TV STAR OF 2021

Angela Bassett, 9-1-1

Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision

Ellen Pompeo, Grey’s Anatomy – WINNER

Kathryn Hahn, WandaVision – WINNER

Mandy Moore, This Is Us

Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Queen Latifah, The Equalizer

Yara Shahidi, Grown-ish

THE DRAMA TV STAR OF 2021

Norman Reedus, The Walking Dead

Angela Bassett, 9-1-1

Chase Stokes, Outer Banks – WINNER

Ellen Pompeo, Grey’s Anatomy

Mandy Moore, This Is Us

Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Queen Latifah, The Equalizer

Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us

THE COMEDY TV STAR OF 2021

Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Dwayne Johnson, Young Rock

Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso

Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live

Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building – WINNER

Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building

Wanda Sykes, The Upshaws

Yara Shahidi, Grown-ish

THE DAYTIME TALK SHOW OF 2021

Good Morning America

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Red Table Talk

The Ellen DeGeneres Show – WINNER

The Kelly Clarkson Show

The View

The Wendy Williams Show

TODAY

Moving on: Ellen DeGeneres earned daytime talk show of 2021

THE NIGHTTIME TALK SHOW OF 2021

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Late Night With Seth Meyers

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

The Late Late Show with James Corden

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – WINNER

THE COMPETITION CONTESTANT OF 2021

Cody Rigsby, Dancing With the Stars

Gottmik, RuPaul’s Drag Race

JoJo (singer), The Masked Singer

JoJo Siwa, Dancing With the Stars – WINNER

Katie Thurston, The Bachelorette

Matt James, The Bachelor

Symone, RuPaul’s Drag Race

Wiz Khalifa, The Masked Singer

THE REALITY STAR OF 2021

Erica Mena, Love & Hip Hop Atlanta

Joe Amabile, Bachelor In Paradise

Kandi Burruss, The Real Housewives of Atlanta

Khloé Kardashian, Keeping Up With the Kardashians – WINNER

Kim Kardashian West, Keeping Up With the Kardashians

Lisa Rinna, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Jersey Shore Family Vacation

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Jersey Shore Family Vacation

Goals: Khloe Kardashian won reality star of 2021 though she was not presented the gong on the broadcast

THE BINGEWORTHY SHOW OF 2021

Cobra Kai

Loki

Mare of Easttown

Outer Banks

Sex/Life

Squid Game – WINNER

Ted Lasso

The White Lotus

THE SCI-FI/FANTASY SHOW OF 2021

Loki

Lucifer – WINNER

La Brea

Shadow and Bone

Superman and Lois

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

The Flash

WandaVision

MUSIC

THE MALE ARTIST OF 2021

Bad Bunny

Drake

Ed Sheeran

Justin Bieber

Lil Nas X – WINNER

Luke Combs

Shawn Mendes

The Weeknd

THE FEMALE ARTIST OF 2021

Adele – WINNER

Billie Eilish

Cardi B

Doja Cat

Halsey

Megan Thee Stallion

Olivia Rodrigo

Saweetie

THE GROUP OF 2021

BTS – WINNER

Coldplay

Dan + Shay

Imagine Dragons

Jonas Brothers

Maroon 5

Migos

twenty one pilots

THE SONG OF 2021

“Butter,” BTS – WINNER

“Bad Habits,” Ed Sheeran

“Easy On Me,” Adele

“good 4 u,” Olivia Rodrigo

“MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X

“Peaches,” Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon

“STAY,” The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber

“Up,” Cardi B

THE ALBUM OF 2021

Certified Lover Boy, Drake

Culture III, Migos

Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish

Justice, Justin Bieber

MONTERO, Lil Nas X

Planet Her, Doja Cat

Sour, Olivia Rodrigo – WINNER

star-crossed, Kacey Musgraves

THE COUNTRY ARTIST OF 2021

Blake Shelton – WINNER

Carrie Underwood

Dan + Shay

Kacey Musgraves

Kane Brown

Luke Bryan

Luke Combs

Miranda Lambert

THE LATIN ARTIST OF 2021

Anuel AA

Bad Bunny – WINNER

Becky G

Daddy Yankee

J Balvin

KAROL G

Maluma

Natti Natasha

THE NEW ARTIST OF 2021

24kGoldn

Bella Poarch

Giveon

Olivia Rodrigo – WINNER

Rauw Alejandro

Tate McRae

The Kid LAROI

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

THE MUSIC VIDEO OF 2021

“Butter,” BTS – WINNER

“Easy On Me,” Adele

“good 4 u,” Olivia Rodrigo

“LOCATION,” KAROL G, Anuel AA, J Balvin

“MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X

“My Universe,” Coldplay X BTS

“Peaches,” Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon

“STAY,” The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber

THE COLLABORATION OF 2021

“Best Friend,” Saweetie feat. Doja Cat

“INDUSTRY BABY,” Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow

“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat feat. SZA

“Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)

“Peaches,” Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon

“STAY,” The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – WINNER

“Way 2 Sexy,” Drake feat. Future & Young Thug

“You Right,” Doja Cat & The Weeknd

POP CULTURE

THE SOCIAL STAR OF 2021

Addison Rae

Britney Spears – WINNER

Charli D’Amelio

Dwayne Johnson

Justin Bieber

Kim Kardashian West

Kylie Jenner

Lil Nas X

THE POP SPECIAL OF 2021

Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry

Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil

Friends: The Reunion – The One Where They Get Back Together – WINNER

Justin Bieber: Our World

Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart & Snoop Dogg

Oprah with Meghan and Harry

P!nk: All I Know So Far

Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 3

THE COMEDY ACT OF 2021

Back To Abnormal Tour, Trevor Noah

Bo Burnham: Inside, Bo Burnham

From Scratch Tour, John Mulaney

Sorry, Harriet Tubman, Phoebe Robinson

The King’s Jester Tour, Hasan Minhaj

The Milk & Money Tour, Ali Wong

Vaccinated and Horny Tour, Chelsea Handler – WINNER

You Know What It Is, Marlon Wayans

Turned on: Chelsea Handler won comedy act of 2021 for her Vaccinated And Horny Tour

THE GAME CHANGER OF 2021

Alex Morgan

Bubba Wallace

Carl Nassib

Naomi Osaka

Patrick Mahomes

Serena Williams

Simone Biles – WINNER

Sunisa Lee – WINNER

THE POP PODCAST OF 2021

Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain – WINNER

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Call Her Daddy

Chicks in the Office

Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew

SmartLess

Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer