The actor first sparked speculation that he had taken a hiatus from the gym after photos surfaced of him on a balcony in Miami shirtless with a noticeable gut. He later went on the offensive, posting his own shirtless selfie showing off the same rock-hard abs he's been sporting for years while exclaiming "body-shaming is always wrong!"
Despite the unsettling publicity, Diesel assured fans he appreciates the commentary for the most part.
"I don't stay away from the internet," he said. "I think there's great value in getting feedback in terms of social media."
"I've been able to have a unique relationship with the audience that I believe has made the [Fast and Furious] films better because of it," he added.
While the ordeal may have initially come as a shock, it hasn't jaded the action star.
"Magazines and stuff like that are a bit dated now but I think, by and large, around the world people are good people," Diesel concluded.
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