Vin Diesel has finally shared his side of the story when it comes to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and his comment about the male "candy asses" on the set of "The Fate of the Furious."

The Rock's Instagram rant last August was reportedly about co-star (and producer) Vin Diesel, and Diesel didn't deny it. He didn't deny any past tension, either, he just told USA Today, "It's not always easy being an alpha" male like the two of them. But he insisted they are close, things were blown out of proportion, and he's "always, always, always" rooting for Dwayne Johnson. He even said something about protecting The Rock "more than he'll ever know," which might suggest that Diesel stepped in after the Instagram rant was posted and suggested everybody on Team Fast just take it in stride.

Here's more from Vin Diesel to USA Today, on Dwayne Johnson:

"I don't think the world really realizes how close we are, in a weird way. I think some things may be blown out of proportion. I don't think that was his intention. I know he appreciates how much I work this franchise. In my house, he's Uncle Dwayne."

Diesel also told USA Today that part of his job as producer is to take some heat on set when there are creative disagreements:

"I protect the franchise. I protect everybody including Dwayne. I protected Dwayne more than he'll ever know. And it doesn't matter. He doesn't have to know. But he appreciates it. He knows it. Dwayne has only got one Vin in his life. Dwayne Johnson only has one big brother in this film world and that's me."

Diesel said he's very proud of seeing The Rock be successful as "another multicultural star," and he's "always rooting Dwayne on." He has his back and wouldn't return any fire about him. Here's more.

So he's trying to take the high road. As you may recall, The Rock stood by his "candy asses" comments, basically saying it was good publicity for the movie, which opens April 14th. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the two guys were being kept from each other on the press tour, perhaps to avoid more questions about the rumored feud.

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