Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has constructed his profession on larger-than-life moments, however his newest one wasn’t a part of any 2025 film releases — reasonably, it unfolded on a luau stage in Hawaii, surrounded by household and group. The legendary wrestler-turned-actor proudly went shirtless to carry out the Taualuga, a sacred Samoan dance, alongside his mother, his daughters, and his prolonged aiga (household).
The Black Adam star posted the video on his official Instagram, utilizing the second to elucidate why the Taualuga is so significant, and why he went shirtless for it. For Johnson, it wasn’t about placing on a present however about honoring genuine Polynesian illustration and Samoan traditions. As he put it:
I used to be blessed to have this very particular second on stage with my mother, my daughters, and our aiga (household) — dancing our Samoan tradition’s sacred dance, the Taualuga. It’s customized for Samoan males to take their shirts off to proudly present our Polynesian tatau (tattoo) and the intricate tales our ink tells.
The Rock additionally identified that the custom isn’t only for males, saying:
Additionally customized for Samoan ladies to elevate their lava lavas as much as proudly present their lovely malu (tattoo) on their legs as properly.
Throughout the dance, he slapped the bottom along with his palms, and defined that it was his strategy to “present my respect for a way vital that is and the way SACRED our floor turns into on this second with our elders.”
Take a look at the video beneath to see what he is speaking about.
The video shortly exploded with a whole lot of hundreds of likes. Followers packed the feedback with admiration, calling out not simply the star energy, however the pleasure the Moana voice performer carries for his roots. Listed below are a number of the finest feedback:
- “This type of tradition is wonderful… It’s nice that you just share it with the sunshine and present that the roots are nonetheless robust.” — @Zuzammihi
- “That is lovely.” — @Cherraelipz
- “What an incredible household second! 😍” — @Gv.44.0
- “Your tradition is so so lovely. 🥹🥹 it makes me so emotional.” — @Mariendac
Scrolling by way of the feedback, you’ll be able to inform followers received precisely what Johnson was placing on the market. And it is clear they loved getting a glimpse of his household and tradition. And actually? That’s the form of connection that sticks with you.
The Jumanji star at all times takes time to spotlight the significance of household and tradition, and performing the Taualuga is one other reminder that some levels maintain extra weight than any Hollywood set. Johnson’s schedule is jam-packed, and he’ll quickly return to theaters within the upcoming A24 film launch The Smashing Machine. The whole lot we find out about The Smashing Machine factors to it being a pointy departure from the varieties of movies he’s taken on lately, with Johnson stepping right into a extra dramatic function as he portrays UFC legend Mark Kerr.
When the Scorpion King himself strips down for the Taualuga, it isn’t about flexing or placing his physique on show—it’s about honoring his roots. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson used a second that might’ve simply been one other viral clip to as a substitute discuss heritage, pleasure, and custom, and to share it with hundreds of thousands. And for a man who’s constructed his profession on larger-than-life characters, this stripped-down act of cultural pleasure seems like probably the most real and highly effective issues he’s achieved.
You possibly can examine The Rock out in his newest movie, The Smashing Machine, when he arrives in theaters on October 3, 2025.