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Dwayne Johnson Shares Why His ‘Moana’ Role Was "Jarring" for His Kids
When it came to the jokes about his character’s hair, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had no idea how far fans would go.
Ahead of Disney’s live action Moana hitting theaters July 10, the star, who reprises his role as Maui in the upcoming film, shared his reaction to the memes about his character’s luscious curls.
“They all made me laugh,” Johnson told E! News in an exclusive interview at the film’s Los Angeles premiere July 7. “People out there were like, ‘Ohh kay.’ I laughed so f--king hard. I’m sorry for my language."
And the former professional wrestler took the memes—which poked fun at the juxtaposition of his normally hairless head with Maui’s flowing hair—in stride.
“I get it,” he assured, “because I’m a bald actor and then you have the full hair. The memes, it was amazing.”
But what Johnson wasn’t OK with? Fans making assumptions about the quality of the live action adaptation, which caused online chatter when early images of the film were released.
“What we have to remember—this is a discipline for myself—is that when you see the first Moana, remember a first look is like looking at it through a microscope,” he continued. “I was like, give it some time! The movie will come out.”
Whatever the consensus about the film, though, Johnson—dad to Simone, 24, with ex Dany Garcia, as well as Jasmine, 10, and Tiana, 8, with wife Lauren Hashian—is brimming with delight over his role in it.
“I felt like I received a gift,” Johnson mused. “I feel like the emotions I’m feeling are gratitude and—I’m careful with this word—but just real pride. I’m proud of our Polynesian culture to be represented on the biggest platform in the world on the big screen.”
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Indeed, while he’s worn many hats—or in this case, wigs—the 54-year-old knows his time as Maui will always have a special place in his heart.
“History looks back on what we do,” he shared. “I’m lucky to be in this position with my daughters. I have all three of my daughters here. I love them and I’m so proud.”
For a deeper look at Johnson’s bond with his family, keep reading…
Leaving a Legacy
"Proud of you and as you go down the road, I'll always have your back," Dwayne wrote on International Women's Day 2020 alongside a photo of him and his daughter Simone, who is now the fourth in the family to train to become a WWE Superstar.
instagram.com/therock
Think Pink
The Rock channels Marvel's Vision with a colorful makeover, courtesy of daughters Jasmine and Tiana.
Instagram / Dwayne Johnson
Tea Party
The Rock and daughter Tiana enjoy a bunny tea party.
Instagram / Dwayne Johnson
Go Fish
The Rock documented daughters Jasmine and Tiana's first fishing trip in May 2021.
Instagram / Dwayne Johnson
Play Time With Dad
Tiana plays with her dad and introduces him to "Pupples," her plush cat.
Instagram / Dwayne Johnson
Happy New Year From the Spaghetti Fairy
The Rock's youngest daughter Tiana blames a magical being for a pasta spill over the New Year's weekend.
Instagram / Dwayne Johnson
Christmas 2020
Dwayne and his little girl Tiana watch The Lion King on Christmas 2020.
Batting Practice
Dwayne may have another little fighter in the family when he shared a photo of his daughter Jasmine swinging her hardest at a Peppa Pig piñata.
A Future Fierce Female
"Blessed, strong and the world will hear from you one day," Dwayne captioned a selfie of himself and Jasmine on International Women's Day this year.
Instagram / Dwayne Johnson
Proud Papa
"The world will one day hear from you too, my strong little love," Dwayne wrote in dedication to his daughter Tiana for International Women's Day.
"And I can't promise you I'll love you for the rest of your life," he continued. "But you have my word I'll love and protect you for the rest of mine." Aww.
Stuffed
"1130am, already tired and our butts kicked on the bedroom floor and we haven't even eaten our Thanksgiving meal yet," Dwayne wrote on Instagram on Thanksgiving this past year while relaxing with his little one.
Easter Bunnies
Dwayne took on the role of Easter Bunny as his daughter Jasmine hunted for eggs last spring.
Tiana Turns One!
Just like that, little Tiana (Johnson's youngest daughter) celebrated her first birthday in 2019 and boy is she getting big!
Dad and His Daughters
Tiana and her big sister Jasmine rang in Christmas 2018 in matching red.
Painted Dad
In November 2018, Jasmine showed off her art skills using her dad's face as a canvas.
Horsing Around
Well, isn't this just the cutest?
Muscle Man
The actor held Jasmine in his arms in the fall because she wanted him to and that's a good enough reason for us.
Smiling Skeletons
Halloween got a million times more adorable thanks to this family.
Work It Out
Clearly, Jazzy is just as stunned by her dad's arm muscles as we are.
Hawaiian Getaway
The Rock shared this photo on Women's Equality Day in 2018 showing that his daughters (all three of them) can do anything they want...including shoving croissants into his mouth while he's on a diet!
Swimming Princess
In case you needed a little more cuteness in your life, Jasmine is ready to give it to you.
Like Father, Like Daughter
Twining! The actor got an adorable smile out of his littlest one in spring 2018.
Mommy's Girls
What's cuter than a mama and her girls enjoying a movie all together?
Dinner Time
The star sweetly gave his wife, Lauren Hashian, a hand eating while she breastfed their little one.
Hi Tiana
The former wrestler got to spend some quality time with the newest member of the family in April 2018 and shared this sweet snap with his fans about it. "Skin to skin. Our mana," he wrote. "Blessed and proud to bring another strong girl into this world."
Welcome to the World
The longtime couple welcomed their second daughter together on April 17, 2018. "Tiana Gia Johnson came into this world like a force of nature and Mama @laurenhashianofficial labored and delivered like a true rockstar," the proud dad announced on social media at the time.
Christmas Cuties
In December 2017, Johnson was all smiles as he celebrated Christmas with his oldest daughter.
Jason Koerner/Getty Images
Plus-One
Dwayne had the perfect plus-one for his Baywatch premiere when he brought daughter Simone along.
Lionel Hahn/AbacaUSA/Instarimages.com
Super Star
The sun was shining bright in LA when the Jumanji actor received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 2018.
View from the Top
In June 2017, Johnson shared this adorable picture with his middle daughter for Father's Day and it's just so sweet.
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