The latest shock in the American entertainment industry has just erupted when muscular actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson publicly announced that he has officially canceled his Disney+ subscription. The reason comes from the ABC channel – owned by Disney – decided to suspend Jimmy Kimmel after controversial statements.
This incident quickly spread on social networks and created a wave of fierce debate. Jimmy Kimmel, one of the veterans of American late-night television, is famous for his bold satire. However, according to many sources, his recent comments about some political and social figures forced ABC to take action, leading to the decision to suspend the program.
The Rock, who has collaborated many times with Disney on blockbusters such as Moana or Jungle Cruise, could not hide his disappointment. In a short but strong speech, he said: “It’s time for someone to stand up and say: enough is enough. We can no longer bow to pressure and control. I choose to protest by canceling Disney+ immediately.”
This statement immediately caused a stir. An A-list star, once a “favorite” of Disney, now turning his back on their flagship streaming service, clearly a painful blow to the entertainment giant. The Rock’s fans – who are numerous and loyal – also began sharing images of canceling their Disney+ package in support of their idol. The hashtag #CancelDisneyPlus even climbed to the top of Twitter trends just hours after his statement.
From a personal perspective, I think The Rock’s action is not only due to temporary dissatisfaction, but also reflects the growing conflict between artists and large media corporations. Hollywood has long been famous for its strict control, sometimes causing artists to lose their own voices. Jimmy Kimmel may have gone too far, but his suspension is being seen as an excessive punishment, stifling freedom of speech.
Meanwhile, Disney has remained silent in the face of the boycott. Some experts say it will be difficult for the company to react immediately, as any move could further inflame tensions. However, if the movement to cancel Disney+ continues to spread, they will certainly have to find a way to appease the public as well as the stars.
For Jimmy Kimmel, this is not the first time he has faced a crisis. But this time, perhaps the pressure is greater than ever as the incident has gone beyond the scope of television to become the center of political and social debate. The fact that a global star like The Rock has publicly protested has turned the incident into the center of a storm.
Personally, I believe that this move by The Rock will open a simmering “rebellion” in the entertainment industry. Once powerful figures dare to speak up, the balance between corporate power and artist freedom will have to be re-examined. Will Disney listen or will it continue its rigid way of doing things?
Only time will tell. But clearly, The Rock saying “no” to Disney+ is a reminder that even the most powerful empires cannot stand above the will and voice of the people who create value for them.
