Dwayne Johnson Opens Up About His Complicated Relationship With Late Father Rocky Johnson

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is opening up about his complicated relationship with his late father while sharing the personal story behind his new Disney song, “Your Dad.”

The emotional track is featured on “Moana: Voices Across the Ocean,” a 15-song album that brings together 25 Pacific artists. Johnson said the song was inspired by his three daughters, Simone, Jasmine and Tiana.

Although Johnson does not have a son, the song has made him think about his own father, former professional wrestler Rocky Johnson, who died in January 2020 at age 75.

“I don’t have a son, but I did have a dad once, and that was a very complex relationship that never reconciled before he died,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “That father-son relationship is a crucial one that can go either way.”

Johnson said he often thinks about his father when singing the song. The lyrics describe the overwhelming love a parent feels after holding a child for the first time.

“My dad didn’t know how to say, ‘Hey, come here. I want you to know how much I love you. I love you, and I’m so proud of you.’ I never got that,” Johnson said during a conversation with SiriusXM’s Disney Hits.

At the same time, Johnson acknowledged that his father influenced many parts of the man he became. He said he has tried to learn from his father’s mistakes while also recognizing the qualities they share.

“As you get older and you have kids of your own, it’s like, ‘Man, there are just some things in my dad’s DNA that I can’t escape,’” he said. “And you know what? Maybe that’s a good thing.”

Johnson has previously spoken about the difficult relationship he had with Rocky. Last year, he criticized his father’s autobiography, “Soulman: The Rocky Johnson Story,” saying it contained inaccurate accounts of their relationship. He also said a foreword was falsely attributed to him without his knowledge.

“Growing up with my dad, I know the truth to all these stories. And they’re not in this book,” Johnson told The New York Times Magazine. “If the truth is blue, this story is red.”

Despite the painful memories surrounding his father, Johnson has maintained a close relationship with his mother, Ata Johnson.

His wife, Lauren Hashian, also has a personal connection to the project. Hashian, who co-executive produced the Polynesian-inspired album with Johnson, Tiana Nonosina Liufau and Kayla Fa‘amaligi, said she felt a strong responsibility to honor the culture represented in the collection.

“This not being my culture, per se, it’s yours and my mother-in-law Ata’s, who lives with us most of the time, and our daughters’—so I do feel a huge responsibility,” Hashian said.

Johnson responded with a playful comment to his wife: “You got this culture all up in your DNA.”

For Johnson, however, “Your Dad” appears to carry a deeper meaning. The song is a tribute to the love he has for his daughters, while also giving him a chance to reflect on a relationship with his own father that was never fully resolved.