Dwayne Johnson Defines His Version of True Masculinity: 'Asking for Help Is Actually a Superpower'

Mar. 15, 2025

Dwayne Johnson in Madrid on Oct. 19, 2022.Photo:Pablo Cuadra/WireImageDwayne Johnsonisn’t afraid to ask for help when he needs it.The actor got choked up when speaking toEntertainment WeeklyaboutMoana 2when he said, “The idea of asking for help is actually a superpower.““Masculinity, to me, is not being tough. It’s not being a badass,” continued Johnson, 52. “Powerful masculinity is having the confidence to look inside and say, ‘This is what I’m feeling, and it’s okay. Here’s my chest. I’ll gladly rip it open to someone who can help me.’ “When he was offered the role of demigod character Maui, whom he first voiced in 2016’sMoana, “I was like, ‘Okay, I know who this is,’ " Johnson toldEW.The actor had previously dealt with conflicting messages about vulnerability when he was growing up andfacing loss in his own life,Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Dwayne Johnson’s character, Maui, inMoana 2(2024).Disney"This guy who is very presentational, who puts on a show, who loves to hold court, sing and dance, and make people feel good,” he continued. “But there’s a lot that’s brewing deep down that, eventually, he is going to have to contend with because it’s like a ball that you’re holding underwater. Eventually, you’ve got to let the ball go, and it’s going to explode.“Johnson says his portrayal of the Maui, both inthe original animated filmand its upcoming sequel, is “an important moment for people to see that you can be strong, you can be big, you can be independent, but it’s okay to ask for help,” he said.“When you do finally ask for help, the universe and your loved ones have a way of meeting you halfway. Even the strongest of people need help,” added the actor andfather of three.Johnson teams up once again with Moana herself,Auli’i Cravalho, onMoana 2, which “starts off with Maui getting himself in trouble as he typically does,” he toldEW.But this time around, Maui and Moana are “much more comrades,” Cravalho, 23, toldEW:“There isn’t as much of a hierarchy and power between demigod and human. He trusts her to make large decisions, and she trusts Maui to listen to her.“Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / courtesy Everett CollectionMoana 2is in theaters Nov. 27.

Dwayne Johnson in Madrid on Oct. 19, 2022.Photo:Pablo Cuadra/WireImage

Pablo Cuadra/WireImage

Dwayne Johnsonisn’t afraid to ask for help when he needs it.The actor got choked up when speaking toEntertainment WeeklyaboutMoana 2when he said, “The idea of asking for help is actually a superpower.““Masculinity, to me, is not being tough. It’s not being a badass,” continued Johnson, 52. “Powerful masculinity is having the confidence to look inside and say, ‘This is what I’m feeling, and it’s okay. Here’s my chest. I’ll gladly rip it open to someone who can help me.’ “When he was offered the role of demigod character Maui, whom he first voiced in 2016’sMoana, “I was like, ‘Okay, I know who this is,’ " Johnson toldEW.The actor had previously dealt with conflicting messages about vulnerability when he was growing up andfacing loss in his own life,Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Dwayne Johnson’s character, Maui, inMoana 2(2024).Disney"This guy who is very presentational, who puts on a show, who loves to hold court, sing and dance, and make people feel good,” he continued. “But there’s a lot that’s brewing deep down that, eventually, he is going to have to contend with because it’s like a ball that you’re holding underwater. Eventually, you’ve got to let the ball go, and it’s going to explode.“Johnson says his portrayal of the Maui, both inthe original animated filmand its upcoming sequel, is “an important moment for people to see that you can be strong, you can be big, you can be independent, but it’s okay to ask for help,” he said.“When you do finally ask for help, the universe and your loved ones have a way of meeting you halfway. Even the strongest of people need help,” added the actor andfather of three.Johnson teams up once again with Moana herself,Auli’i Cravalho, onMoana 2, which “starts off with Maui getting himself in trouble as he typically does,” he toldEW.But this time around, Maui and Moana are “much more comrades,” Cravalho, 23, toldEW:“There isn’t as much of a hierarchy and power between demigod and human. He trusts her to make large decisions, and she trusts Maui to listen to her.“Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / courtesy Everett CollectionMoana 2is in theaters Nov. 27.

Dwayne Johnsonisn’t afraid to ask for help when he needs it.

The actor got choked up when speaking toEntertainment WeeklyaboutMoana 2when he said, “The idea of asking for help is actually a superpower.”

“Masculinity, to me, is not being tough. It’s not being a badass,” continued Johnson, 52. “Powerful masculinity is having the confidence to look inside and say, ‘This is what I’m feeling, and it’s okay. Here’s my chest. I’ll gladly rip it open to someone who can help me.’ "

When he was offered the role of demigod character Maui, whom he first voiced in 2016’sMoana, “I was like, ‘Okay, I know who this is,’ " Johnson toldEW.The actor had previously dealt with conflicting messages about vulnerability when he was growing up andfacing loss in his own life,

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Dwayne Johnson’s character, Maui, inMoana 2(2024).Disney

Disney

“This guy who is very presentational, who puts on a show, who loves to hold court, sing and dance, and make people feel good,” he continued. “But there’s a lot that’s brewing deep down that, eventually, he is going to have to contend with because it’s like a ball that you’re holding underwater. Eventually, you’ve got to let the ball go, and it’s going to explode.”

Johnson says his portrayal of the Maui, both inthe original animated filmand its upcoming sequel, is “an important moment for people to see that you can be strong, you can be big, you can be independent, but it’s okay to ask for help,” he said.

“When you do finally ask for help, the universe and your loved ones have a way of meeting you halfway. Even the strongest of people need help,” added the actor andfather of three.

Johnson teams up once again with Moana herself,Auli’i Cravalho, onMoana 2, which “starts off with Maui getting himself in trouble as he typically does,” he toldEW.

But this time around, Maui and Moana are “much more comrades,” Cravalho, 23, toldEW:“There isn’t as much of a hierarchy and power between demigod and human. He trusts her to make large decisions, and she trusts Maui to listen to her.”

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection

Moana 2is in theaters Nov. 27.

source: people.com