Dwayne Johnson Gets Emotional as He Speaks to How His Grandfather Inspired His Portrayal of Maui inMoana

Mar. 15, 2025

From L: Peter Maivia; Dwayne Johnson; Maui fromMoana 2(2024).Photo:Dwayne Johnson/Instagram; ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty; Disney

Dwayne Johnson/Instagram; ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty; Disney

Dwayne Johnsonis reflecting on his late grandfatherPeter Maivia’s impact on his character inMoanaand its soon-to-be-released sequel.

The wrestler-turned-actor reprises his voice role of Maui the demigod inMoana 2, which hits theaters this week. During an appearance onGood Morning AmericaMonday, Nov. 25, he paid tribute to his grandfather’s legacy in a conversation about the character.

“My grandfather, he died here, in Hawaii. And he died in 1982,” recalled Johnson, 52, getting visibly emotional. “We were here when he died, and I was running around; I didn’t understand the significance of his passing. I was 10.”

According to Johnson, Maivia, who was a Samoan high chief and WWE wrestler, “was just like Maui, from his build to his hair to his charisma, and he would sing, and he was loved.”

“So every time I play Maui, I’m in the skin of my grandfather. And it really moves me,” he added.

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The actor also paid his respects to his both grandfather and grandmother Ofelia Fuataga Maivia whenhe visited their gravesin April 2019.

“Double shot of tequila 🥃 for him. Beautiful lei 🌺 for her. So good to spend some alone time with my grandma and grandpa today here in Hawaii,” Johnsoncaptioned the image. “Life is so wildly hectic and unpredictable. But it’s amazing how slowing down to sit and talk with the spirits of your loved ones can recalibrate your soul.”

“Much needed. Heart is full. Love you both and I’ll keep my promise 🥃🌺,” he concluded.

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Elsewhere inhisGMAinterview, Johnson opened up about the concept of vulnerability for men, saying, “There’s this idealized way in our culture and society, in that men have to be tough.”

“I love that there’s a lot of mental health talk these days, ‘cause 20 years ago there were no mental health check-ins — especially for dudes and men,’ " he continued.

Asked about his similarities to hisMoanacharacter, theRed Oneactor said, “Maui is determined. I’m determined. Maui is a lover of language. He loves language, he loves words. And I enjoy that part too about what I do.”

“Maui had a tough background and a tough upbringing very early, for me too — here in Hawaii. It represents a lot of struggle here,” Johnson added. “Things are different these days, and I’m really grateful.”

Moana 2swims into theaters Nov. 27.

source: people.com