Listen, paying attention to celebrity beefs is not an activity that anyone is proud of. They always inspire a lurid curiosity that leaves you feeling more than a little gross after you go on a googling bender, but it is what it is. One of the greatest celebrity beefs of recent memory is the bitchfest allegedly going on between Fast and Furious costars Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson, which began with one fated “candy ass” Instagram post that was reportedly directed towards Diesel. Johnson called out some of his male costars and with that one post, we were all left thirsting for the second coming of Joan Crawford and Bette Davis.
Some claim that it’s all just a Wrestlemania stunt, but reports emerged that Johnson and Diesel were being kept apart during the promotional tour for their latest entry in the franchise, Fate of the Furious, so honestly, the truth is anyone’s guess. However, on Friday, Diesel addressed this beef for the first time publicly, telling USA Today:
“I don’t think the world really realizes how close we are, in a weird way. I think some things may be blown out of proportion. I don’t think that was his intention. I know he appreciates how much I work [for] this franchise. In my house, he’s Uncle Dwayne.”
Sure. No one can really know what is truth and what is tabloid fiction, but you would think that Johnson, who is very active on social media, would have addressed the backlash if there really was no bad blood? Still, Diesel sticks to his guns claiming that there is only love between the two.
“I protect the franchise. I protect everybody, including Dwayne. I protected Dwayne more than he’ll ever know. And it doesn’t matter. He doesn’t have to know. But he appreciates it. Dwayne has only got one Vin in his life. Dwayne Johnson only has one big brother in this film world and that’s me. I’m always rooting for Dwayne. I’m the first multicultural megastar in Hollywood. They didn’t exist. To see another multicultural star come up is something I am very proud of.”
So, be it a PR push or a genuine admission of brotherly affection, Diesel clearly wants us to know that he is always on Team The Rock. Honestly, who wouldn’t be?
(Via Entertainment Weekly)
