Their visit coincided with a ribbon-cutting event for a new Moana and Stitch-themed indoor play area designed for the hospital's young patients. Bella, who underwent emergency surgery at age four after a large tumor was discovered in her brain was visibly emotional when Johnson and Laga’aia presented her and her seven-year-old sister Luna with gift bags.

Johnson, who portrays Maui in the new film, sang a rendition of the Moana song "You're Welcome" to help ease Bella's nerves. After the song, he shared the lyrics, “I know it’s a lot, the hair, the bod, when you’re staring at a demi-god.”

Johnson, who officially opened the play area by cutting a ribbon, expressed his honor in meeting the sisters. He told Bella she was “a strong, amazing warrior” akin to Moana, and referred to Luna as a “cool, supportive sister.” Johnson also commented, “This kind of stuff is the best part of fame.”

Bella's Recovery Journey

Bella's mother, Sophie Riding, shared with the Press Association that singing the song "Shiny" from the 2016 Disney film Moana had been instrumental in Bella's recovery. Bella had temporarily lost her ability to walk and speak following her surgery.

“It’s a catchy song, and she loved it, and she thought it was really funny, and she used to laugh at it all the time.”

Ms. Riding explained that Bella's fascination with the song led her to repeat it constantly. “We could sort of hear that she was making the right sounds, and she was starting to sort of like mould the words right again,” she said.

“It really did make the world of difference.”

The family initially believed Bella had a common sickness bug when she began experiencing night sickness and headaches. However, her mother noticed Bella stumbling and having difficulty walking straight shortly before the tumor was discovered.

A trip to A&E led to a CT scan revealing a tumor described as being roughly the size of an apple. Bella was then immediately rushed to Great Ormond Street for emergency treatment. Ms. Riding stated that had the tumor not been caught when it was, Bella's survival would have been uncertain.

“Had they not caught it when they caught it, the chances are she wouldn’t have survived another week.”

She further elaborated on the severe risk: “The pressure was building up so much in her brain that she could have had a stroke, brain damage, any of those things.” Bella remained hospitalized for two weeks post-surgery, initially struggling to re-engage in activities, a stark contrast to her previous state of running and playing just five days prior to diagnosis.

Featured names

• Dwayne Johnson
• Catherine Laga
• Bella Riding
• The Independent
• Great Ormond
• Street Hospital
• Sophie Riding
• Press Association
• Gosh Charity
• Louise Parkes