Dwayne Johnson has revealed that he never reconciled with his father Rocky Johnson before the former professional wrestler died at age 75 in January 2020.
The actor discussed their complicated relationship while promoting his new Disney song titled Your Dad, which features on the 15-track album Moana: Voices Across the Ocean alongside contributions from 25 Pacific artists.
Writing on Instagram, Johnson stated that the track was inspired by his three daughters, Simone, Jasmine, and Tiana. He shares his eldest daughter Simone with former partner Dany Garcia, while Jasmine and Tiana are with his wife Lauren Hashian.
Johnson explained that although he does not have a son, he once had a father, describing their connection as a very complex relationship that was never resolved before his father passed away. He noted that the relationship between a father and son is defining and can evolve in any direction.
The actor added that despite writing the track for his daughters, he thinks about his father every time he sings it. He acknowledged that his father never spoke those words to him, but suggested that his father may have felt them when Johnson was a young child.
Lessons From a Strict Upbringing
Speaking during an interview on SiriusXM Disney Hits, Johnson said his primary goal as a parent is to avoid repeating the choices and mistakes his father made. He explained that as people grow older and raise children of their own, they try hard not to follow the same path.
Johnson, known professionally as The Rock, rose to global prominence in professional wrestling before becoming one of Hollywood's highest-paid film stars. His father, Rocky Johnson, was a trailblazing wrestler who competed in the World Wrestling Federation during the 1970s and 1980s before retiring from the ring.
Despite their rift, Johnson acknowledged that his father taught him valuable life lessons about hard work and discipline. He said his father raised him strictly with a hard hand, adding that there are aspects of his father's DNA that he cannot escape.
The track Your Dad describes how holding a newborn child changes a parent's entire life, filling it with love and laughter forever. However, Johnson recalled that his father never knew how to express love directly, noting that he never heard his father tell him to come close, say he loved him, or express pride in him.
Disputes Over Father Memoir
The actor has previously spoken about the turbulent history between the two men. Last year, Johnson addressed his father's autobiography, Soulman: The Rocky Johnson Story, which featured a foreword attributed to Johnson that he said was published without his knowledge or consent.
In an interview with The New York Times Magazine, the Moana star accused the book of distorting the reality of their relationship. He stated that the stories in the memoir completely crossed the line, comparing the contrast to blue versus red and attributing the inaccuracies to his father's need for attention and narcissism.
