LOS ANGELES 鈥 Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson didn鈥檛 make a household name for himself by conforming to someone else鈥檚 idea of who he should be, an approach he encouraged others to take while accepting a top honor at the MTV Movie & TV Awards.
The actor, producer and former professional wrestler said embracing himself allowed him to carve his own space in the entertainment industry and become one of its biggest stars. He accepted MTV鈥檚 generation award with fanfare 鈥 running down the stage amidst a blend of hip-hop and Samoan dancers with screens reading 鈥淭he Rock鈥 in flaming letters behind him 鈥 during the show, which was taped Saturday in Santa Monica, California, and aired Monday night.
鈥淭he most powerful thing we can be is ourselves,鈥 said Johnson, who is half-black and half-Samoan. He also reminded the audience of its responsibility to reach back for others in the midst of success.
Johnson, 47, wasn鈥檛 the only one to use his platform during the show for empowerment.
Brie Larson, who won the best fight award for her battle against Minn-Erva (Gemma Chan) in 鈥淐aptain Marvel,鈥 brought her stunt doubles, Joanna Bennett and Renae Moneymaker, on stage to recognize them for their work.
鈥淭hey are the living embodiment of Captain Marvel,鈥 Larson said as she stepped aside to let the women give speeches in which they thanked the actress for the rare acknowledgement on an awards show stage.
Inclusivity and celebration seemed to be the themes of the night. The show included with a comedic take on a scene from Jordan Peele鈥檚 鈥淯s,鈥 featuring host Zachary Levi. Levi reminded everyone to nurture the kid in themselves and keep following their dreams into adulthood. Lizzo and Bazzi kept the crowd on its feet during their lively musical performances of 鈥淛uice鈥 and 鈥淧aradise,鈥 respectively.
The upbeat nature of the night didn鈥檛 stop some winners from getting serious.
Lana Condor managed to bring thoughtfulness to one of the night鈥檚 more amusing awards.
鈥淜iss who you want to kiss. Love who you want to love, and don鈥檛 let anyone tell you otherwise,鈥 she said, accepting the best kiss honor with 鈥淭o All the Boys I鈥檝e Loved Before鈥 co-star Noah Centineo, who also won for breakthrough performance.
Daniel Levy shared a similar sentiment after winning the best comedic performance award for 鈥淪chitt鈥檚 Creek.鈥
鈥淚f I鈥檝e taken anything away from making 鈥楽chitt鈥檚 Creek,鈥 it鈥檚 that kindness always wins, and love is best served unconditionally,鈥 he said, wishing everyone a happy pride month.
Jada Pinkett Smith accepted the trailblazer award, presented to her by 鈥淕irls Trip鈥 co-star Tiffany Haddish, and assured attendees that each of them are trailblazing by leading the way and fighting for others.
Women took home several of the night鈥檚 biggest awards, including best performance in a show (Elisabeth Moss, 鈥淭he Handmaid鈥檚 Tale鈥) and in a movie (Lady Gaga, 鈥淎 Star is Born鈥). The show features gender-neutral categories.
Sandra Bullock touched the audience during her speech for most frightened performance for 鈥淏ird Box.鈥
The Oscar winner said she made the film for her kids after they asked when she would make a movie for them. Accepting the award from 鈥淲onder Woman鈥 star Gal Gadot, Bullock said that when her kids are old enough to watch the post-apocalyptic thriller, she hopes it will show them the lengths she is willing to go for them.
Bullock also said she was happy her son could see her accept her award in a room with 鈥渞eal life superheroes鈥 like Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure he will notice that they are women, just like his mama,鈥 she said.
