Where does “The Rock” end and Dwayne Johnson begin?

Hobbs and Shaw is the latest example of life imitating art imitating life

If you have an Instagram account, chances are you’re probably following @TheRock. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has over 152 million followers on the platform. I admit I’m one of them.

Honestly, I have no particular affinity for Johnson or memory of actually clicking “follow.” It was almost as if his thousand watt smile and glass-two-thirds-full attitude came pre-programmed on the app. I wouldn’t dare unfollow, or even want to. His #content is too good.

In many ways, he’s the quintessential 2019 celebrity. In this era of forced authenticity, where we want to know what our favorite celebrities eat and wear and do in their free time, The Rock’s brand is pure aspiration. He travels the world, wakes up early to lift crazy heavy weights, eats a pristine diet (except for his epic cheat meals), dresses in skin-tight designer clothing, makes time for his kids, preaches family and heritage and positivity and hard-work-pays-off.

His whole life is on perfectly manicured display. He’s created a character of himself. And it has made him the highest paid and most bankable actor in Hollywood.