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Real Talk: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s ‘Essence’ Cover Stirs Debate Among Black Women

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is undoubtedly eye candy for women of all races. Which may explain how he nabbed the latest cover of Essence magazine.

The cover story boasts of the magazine’s readers voting for the “Sexiest Brothers,” including names like Idris Elba, Shemar Moore and singer Maxwell. Johnson specifically dishes on “kissing, confidence & the beauty of black women.”

Surprisingly, the excerpt does not focus on Johnson’s specific thoughts on black women,

“…When I say I’m going to take care of a woman, I don’t just mean physically or sexually or romantically,” he revealed during the article interview. “I’m going to take care of her emotionally and spiritually. I’m going to take care of her in all ways. I take a lot of pride in that today…”

“I want to be a man who is truthful and who won’t let pride get in the way of my ripping myself open to my partner and saying, ‘Here I am. This is me,’” he added. “I feel there’s something powerful when a man reaches a point in his life when he can be completely vulnerable.”

A sly marketing move by Essence? Perhaps. A quick Google search for “Dwayne Johnson girlfriend” will return no searches of the actor with a black woman. This tidbit of information has lit up social media with women questioning Johnson’s authority on the topic of black women.

One commenter at Huff Post Black Voices, Kiesha Middleton, wrote:

Hello,
I must say I adore this man not only for his talent but also his determination. He represents himself in a good light and he inspires many people with his life story. I will always be a supportive fan. However, I remember reading a sample of this article in which Dwayne states what he likes about black women. I don’t understand how he could possibly have any opinion of black women. I have never seen him with one.
Dwayne, we support you and love you, but please stick with topics of which you have a reasonable understanding.

God bless,
Kiesha Middleton

Another commenter, Megan Jerai, stood among the minority as she responded in defense of Johnson:

“A man can have love for black women and never have been involved with one. He may not be surrounded by them a lot and obviously he has love for other women as well. It should be a problem when he says he DOESN’T like black women.”

It will be interesting to read Johnson’s actual accounts of being with a black woman. In the meantime, it’s safe to say his choices in women should not take away from his appreciation of such a beautiful group of women.

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