Johnson explained that his father, the professional wrestler Rocky Johnson, instilled a strong work ethic and showmanship but never modeled emotional openness. "My father never said the words: ‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out,’” Johnson told The National.

Raised as an only child in a modest environment, Johnson felt a lack of emotional connection with his father. "I was an only child, a trailer park kid. And I did not grow up in an environment where my dad said: ‘Hey, if something’s on your heart, tell me about it. I got you now,’” Johnson stated.

While Johnson achieved significant success as a wrestler and actor, he acknowledged a lifelong guardedness that he has actively worked to change. "I’m a different man than I was a decade ago, a different father, a different husband and a different kind of actor as well,” he said.

A significant part of this personal evolution has involved acknowledging his failures. He reflected on his younger self, particularly in his 20s and 30s, when he struggled to admit fault. "My lead foot has been being defensive,” Johnson noted. "When he was in an argument, he couldn’t admit fault. Instead, all he could think was: ‘I’m trying to make my point to you.’”

Johnson elaborated on this shift, realizing the necessity of seeking help. “Eventually, what happens is you realise: ‘Wait a second. Let’s be real. I need some help. And I come to you with open arms, saying I don’t have the answer to this. Can you help me? Can you help me change my life?’” he shared.

This ability to ask for help, particularly the phrase “can you help me?” was a barrier he previously couldn't overcome. “I never said that when I was a kid, or growing up, or in my 20s and 30s,” Johnson said, his voice catching. “And it eventually led to a divorce.”

Johnson and Dany Garcia, the mother of his daughter Simone, divorced in 2007. Garcia has remained a key professional partner, significantly contributing to the next phase of his film career. The two are set to reunite for Disney’s live-action remake of Moana, with Garcia serving as a lead producer and Johnson reprising his role as Maui.

Johnson has utilized his personal experiences to inform his acting, particularly in emotionally challenging scenes. For the character of Maui in Moana, Johnson drew upon difficult personal moments when the character displays weakness and admits fault. This technique was also applied to his role in "The Smashing Machine," where he played MMA fighter Mark Kerr.

He emphasized the importance of portraying honesty in a family film to serve as a positive role model. "My version of masculinity is that you can still be strong, but you should also be comfortable with being open and vulnerable, and asking for help,” he stated.

Johnson continues to learn and grow, quoting country singer Allison Moorer: “I’m just looking for a soft place to fall.”

Featured names

• Dwayne Johnson
• The National
• Rocky Johnson
• The Smashing Machine
• Allison Moorer
• Lauren Hashian