Ah, the trials and tribulations of billion-dollar landowners. Picture this: You find yourself as a landowner on a paradisiacal island. Then, a natural disaster hits a working-class village within your property boundaries, setting off quite the conundrum. What are you to do? Well, according to the latest controversy involving Oprah and The Rock, you might consider reaching out to the very folks who can barely make ends meet to pitch in for the island’s reconstruction fund. Admirable, right? Or perhaps, questionable is a better word.

Thus begins the saga. Oprah Winfrey, the well-known TV mogul, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the blockbuster movie star, had a plan to muster aid for the disaster-impacted areas of Maui, contributing a combined $10 million of their own money ($5 million each). Instead of opening up their ample estates to those in need, they encouraged the working-class public to chip in, which seemed akin to adding insult to injury.

Now, this wouldn’t be the first time celebrities misread the room. Oprah and The Rock both experienced a whirlwind of criticism. Winfrey, in particular, took it upon herself to lament about being “terrorized and vilified” by social media’s mean comments. It leaves one scratching their head, especially considering the plight of actual victims on the island. It seems rather bizarre to complain about internet backlash while survivors are contending with far more significant losses – like, you know, their homes and lives.

On the other hand, The Rock, in his seemingly never-ending career evolution, approacheth the shenanigan with a touch more awareness. He publicly acknowledged the backlash that followed their relief fund’s launch, pledging to learn and do better in the future. It appears the wrestler-turned-actor is adept at reading sentiment, keen on maintaining favor with his sizable fanbase. Unlike other celebrities who willingly sacrifice popularity for performative wokeness, The Rock seems to be seeking the safe middle ground, staying clear from headline blunders.

So, a tip of the hat to The Rock for embracing a more natural look and acknowledging mistakes, even if his previous political endorsements didn’t win universal fans. There’s always something to learn from this tale of two mega-millionaires navigating the choppy waters of disaster philanthropy amidst the scrutiny of public opinion. As moral as it comes, maybe it’s just a smidge more self-awareness that our favorite stars need when tackling issues that go beyond their red-carpet bubble.