Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Kicks Off The Podcast! - What Now? with Trevor Noah Podcast

I learned so much from my dad. Work ethic? Yeah. Discipline. But at the same time, I also know what it's like not to be hugged. Now I turn to my daughters and it's oh you want to paint my face. The paint. Oh well how many colors do you want to put on. You want this. You want to do that. You want to hit me in the balls? Okay, great. I close my eyes. I know it's coming. He grabbed a shovel, a big shovel. My dad did and drew a line in the dirt. Said, have you crossed that line? I'm going to kill you.

The drunk asshole crossed the line. He knocked him out cold as a block of ice. Wow. 43 or 46% of the country. would love the idea of Dwayne Johnson running for president. I mean, it either means you are the paragon of what people would hope. a leader would be, or it means things have gotten so bad. that they like, we need somebody who's going to come in here. and lay the smackdown on everybody. You know what I mean? I do.

If there's one thing I've always loved, it's having a spirited conversation. I've always loved how the words coming. out of another person's mouth can change, how the mush in your brain processes or sees the world, that it's seen a certain way for such a long time. It feels like these days, though, we might be losing that ability, or it's become a little bit harder, you know?

A few days ago, I was I was at an event and. people were having really interesting and dynamic conversations, conversations about really difficult topics. men, women, young and old alike. And every few minutes. somebody would start their opinion with the phrase. Now, I would never say this in public, but. I would never say this if I was being recorded. But.

And I found that fascinating. So many of us have opinions. and ideas about the world that we live in, that we are either unable or unwilling or too scared to share. And I thought to myself, if we cannot. have conversations. about difficult things, if the conversations themselves. are now the difficult things, then what hope do we have. of fixing the difficult things? You know, I, I almost think of it like a, like a minefield.

One of the most dangerous places you can ever walk into. is a minefield, because you do not know where they are. You do not know when your last step may be. All you know is at any moment, something could blow up. But the danger comes when you step into the minefield. Imagine if discussing how to navigate. the minefield was as dangerous as the minefield itself.

That's what I feel like we're living in now. And so in this podcast, on this episode, and with every single episode that follows, I hope to get into those conversations. Let's chat about the things that make us uncomfortable. Let's chat to the people who make us uncomfortable. Let's come to consensus. Let's walk away. Still fighting but understanding each other a little bit more. But most importantly, let's have. the conversation.

This is one now with Trevor Noah. When? When talking about conversations, I can't help but think of all the people I have conversations with. You know, the team I'm working with on this podcast, the team I worked with at The Daily Show. You know, Christiana, when we're there, I remember and I still have this with most of my friends.

I remember a world where friends did not agree. I remember a world where married couples did not vote the same. Like now it feels like people aren't allowed to be friends. with somebody or won't allow themselves to be friends. with somebody who doesn't agree on even one topic. Just one topic. Literally one thing that you might disagree on. And that's the end. Now it's like, nope, we cannot be friends. Whereas before you would say we are friends. But oh God, I hope they don't bring up that thing. because they know we're going to punch each other. We'll be like, I trust you and I love you. But your opinions on football trash.

Absolute trash. You know nothing about the game. Don't speak. I'm going to fight with you. And we'd laugh about this. You know. Let me ask you this. And, I mean, I know this because I argue with you. and you have my friend, but in your just completely private, nonprofessional, connected life. Do you have friends that you don't agree with? Oh, none of my friends agree with me. My husband doesn't even agree. I haven't because I'm an extremist. So. But that's like a position I like to occupy. Spot the people in my circle. I know that they're cool. They're good.

And I think the issue that we have now is that people think. a bad politic or a politic that is different from your own means. that the other person is a bad person, which I don't think is true. You say more about that. What do you what do you mean by that? If you did? Because I know people in who on paper have like great politics. or what's considered acceptable progressive politics right now. But in practice, in real life, they're like shitty people. Like I speak all the time. I used to go to, like, these dinner parties in Brooklyn. and all of these, like, progressive men, right?

Vote in the right way and or very feminist. And there'll be women in the kitchen doing all the cooking. There's a white men, by the way. Bring out the wine. And when the cheese was done, women bring up the cheese. and women would cook. And then when it was all done, it'd be women who would like clear up. And these men are like, where feminist is your body? Your choice. One of my favorite interactions. I ever had was when I first started on The Daily Show. I got, I mean, thousands and thousands of, like, hate tweets.

I mean, every single day. That's all Twitter was in my life was just your trash, your trash, your trash. You shouldn't be on the show. And there was one guy in particular like he was. It was interesting. He was like, he was mean, but he was funny. And I always appreciate funny. I don't care how mean you are, if you can be funny, I will separate the two and I go, you know what? That was funny. I can I can appreciate that. And this guy said something and I DM'd him and I said, hey, I'm really intrigued about why you hate me so much.

You don't know me. You don't seem to have ever watched anything I've created. Why do you hate me this much? And I will never forget. His next tweet to me was, oh hey man. Oh, it's like literally. And he had exclamations. He he wrote, oh dude, I don't even really hate you like that. I just thought it was funny to to pile on and and then he's. And then he said something along the lines of, he said, look. And to be honest, I don't think you're going to make it. I think you're going to crash the show. But good luck to you, man. I wish you the best.

And I actually think you're pretty funny. And then I responded to him and I said, wait, wait, wait, wait, so you think I'm going to crash and burn? And he said, yes. And I said, okay, let's make a deal. I said, if I lost six months, promise me you'll watch the show. for as long as I'm there. And he was like, oh yeah, you're going to lose this deal. But it's a deal. And I promise you now, from that day, like every few months, we would tweet each other and would be like a random. DM and we'd say, what's up? We talk to each other. And I was fascinated by how different this person was. when I had an actual direct connection with them, versus.

when it was this theoretical. throwing of a stone at like a moving vehicle, as opposed to the you know, that's what I always think of is like I go, a lot of the time, I think the reason we are. the way we are in traffic is because we aren't, like, with each other. It's a lot harder to do that and to be that level of asshole. when it's like your body, you know, there's this, there's this cage that separates you from the other person. You're like, I will kill you. I will destroy you and your entire family. And I know if you've ever done this, like, like you'll pull up.

and somebody pulls up next to you and they ready to kill you. for everything you've done to them on the freeway. They're ready to murder you and your entire lineage. And you look them in the eye and you say sorry, and they whole face, and they're like, it does. It doesn't matter. You see them kill. you and you. and I one if. I wonder if that's what stops us from having these conversations is. that we're not actually having them with each other. We're having them with like a, like a it's like a swarm of locusts. where I'm sure each individual grasshopper isn't that bad, but when it's a swarm, it's pretty difficult to.

to get to get a wouldn't you know? Which brings me to my first guest, the Rock Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Here you have a human being who has, across the globe, been widely regarded as the friendliest, finest. you know, most loving people. He's he's always trying to make fans smile. He's always trying to, you know, you've seen those videos of him. He'll pull up to, like, a Hollywood bus that's driving around the stars homes.

And he'll he'll take selfies with everyone. and he'll, you know, he's he's that guy. He's that guy. And yet. even he. put out a video recently talking about how negative. the world has become in certain spaces. And I thought, man, if this is getting to the Rock's world, if even he's experiencing this, then surely there's something we need. to figure out about what we're doing or how to have these conversations. Surely there's something.

we need to fix in a way, you know, and I couldn't. think of a better person to have that conversation with. than an all around nice guy who has only tried. to make us smile. He's walking in now, people. The man, the myth, the legend. Christiana, I will catch up with you after this. But, say, what's up to the rock guys? Yeah, exactly. My brother. Thank you for being here. Good to see you. Thank you for having me. Take a seat. Take a seat.

All right. Welcome. Here we are. Graduations, man, on your first show. This is a big deal. No. Congratulations on getting the rock. That's what you should congratulate me for. This is. This is getting the rock. You are. Everyone says to people, oh, you're the hardest working. You're the hard. You do so much. I will put money on it. You are the hardest working person. that I know in the industry right now. You are doing everything. You are everywhere. You are like, where did you come from right now?

The gym, you see? What time do you start? 5 a.m. are you one of those years? I am I one of those? Yeah. I, I like to get up early. I like to get up early. And that way, hopefully I could get up before the babies get up. Okay. And then I could get the workout part out of the way. I feel like I saw a video of you celebrating your mom's birthday, 75th. Congratulations to you. Thank you very much. I feel like your mom has always been, you know, like your hero in many ways. You know, I've read. many of the things you've. you've talked about her and many of the things you've said about her.

It's it's it's so beautiful to see how you celebrate her. And watching that video, there were two things I was I was particularly intrigued by. Number one was their money flying from the sky? What was happening there? Oh, we're making it rain. Yeah. What was happening? Okay, so in our culture, I'm half black and have similar rights. And on the Samoan side and Polynesian culture on the side, one side in particular, there's a. there's a, there's a dance that we do at the end of events. It's called the Tower Luna. And a woman will dance, and during this dance,

people will come up and they will throw money, and they'll start to celebrate and dance around her. And the throwing of the money is a sign of reverence and respect. and that's what that was. So when I go up there to dance, I have a lot of money. I just throw it up in the air. I mean, maybe it was like 25 one. So I always talk to my friends. I'm, you know, I'm from South Africa. Yes.

And I'll always talk to my friends about how wildly crazy. cultural norms can be when you move from one space to another. You know, when, when, when I, when I travel the world. In some cultures, it is disrespectful to leave a plate empty. after eating a meal. You leave a little bit to show that the person gave you enough. That's right. In some cultures, if you don't finish. what's on the plates, that's the problem. You've disrespected them. That's right. I can tell you now, in many cultures, if you threw ones at your mom.

Well, you got it contextually. No, no, I go that's what I'm saying. I'm saying it's it's a beautiful thing to see where you like, Wow. The world is really an interesting place. I also loved man. I loved seeing you dancing there, you know, so I because I grew up in South Africa, I grew up watching rugby because I grew up watching rugby. I've always loved Samoans. I've always loved, you know, just like everyone from. from that area who was like Samoans in particular, were always. what I considered the pinnacle of like the super man. Yes. You know,

and it was men who were wearing these sometimes was like a. I don't know what it's made out of, but it looks like a red dress sometimes. Like a to love, love, love a lover. Yeah. And you'd see and you know, forms of like the haka you do, you know, and you I love seeing you doing that because I think of. the history of how we have seen certain cultures. and what we've defined as cool and what we've defined as acceptable. Have you always thought Samoan culture is cool, or did you also have that period as a kid where you were like, oh man, I can't believe I'm part of this?

And then you found it again, as most people do. Yeah, that's a great question. And to be honest with your brother, at a very early age, from my mom and my dad, it was always, what you are. is perfect and what you are is cool. Black culture, Samoan culture. Yes, we come from a world of pro wrestling. And at that time, Trevor, if you think about it, pro. wrestling was nowhere near the global juggernaut that it is today. and it was, it was a very small subculture.

so be proud of everything that you are so out of the gates. It was always be proud, I loved it, man. I loved watching it. I loved seeing you there. I loved you celebrating it. No, because I also you know, when I travel and I'll. do shows in and around the islands, you know, the Pacific islands. It's so beautiful to see what you've inspired. You know, it's it's so beautiful to be the pinnacle or in many ways, the icon that people look to, they go, where am I from?

Oh, I'll tell you where I'm from. You know, where the rock is from. That's exactly where I'm from. That's that's that's what you do there. It's a it's a cool thing. And and I got to tell you, as you go down the road a life a bit more, you start to realize. just how special culture is, how special all of our culture is. I've been lucky enough, like you, to go around the world. and see and visit all these people from different cultures. but that moment when we're able to celebrate, say, for example, my mom on her birthday,

what's really cool about that is generally every year there are. a handful of people who will come and who will visit, and be part of her birthday, who are new to the family or new to our circle. And when that moment happens, every single time, you could turn around. And the ones who are experiencing that for the first time, that tower. where it's my mom, she. And she's beautiful. She's such a beautiful dancer. It's graceful. You see it in the video? You really see it. You look at these people who are experiencing that. for the first time, and they're all crying.

because they're so moved by that. And I love that about our culture. I love that about our Polynesian culture. Yeah. Why? And Samoan, Tongan, Fijian. Maori. It's it's, it's a very powerful cult. Like I use the word moana. Oh, yes, you do, you do. And in that moment, you could feel that Moana. You really could. I feel like you carry that with you. You know, you, I think one of the. first times I met you in person spoke for a little bit, was at the time 100 events and the first time and.

Yeah. And I there was a picture of, of a standing together. and people asked me, they said, what is the rock. like when people always ask you when you meet them, what is the rock like? And I said, it is the craziest thing, that human being. is exactly the way he is. He doesn't surprise you in how his smile, his voice, his charm, his vibe. You are exactly the way you are. What I wanted to find out, I appreciate that, no. For real? Yeah. For real.

What I wanted to find out about you is. Is. what has made you into this human. What guides you as this human, you know, living your daily life. And and the reason I think you're a particularly interesting person. to speak to about this is because you have come to embody. so much of the goodness that people want in their worlds, you know, whether it's how they work out, whether it's how they see themselves with mixed identities, you know, as an American, but proudly as a Samoan, but proudly as a black person as well.

You know, you you, you're in this mixed world. and it's like, hey, hey, you can celebrate all of this. Yeah. So let's let's talk a little bit. about the formative years of the Rock before the Rock. Dwayne Johnson, you talk about being in this world of pro wrestling. It seems like it was far from pro back then, right? Right. Your dad didn't want you to get into the sport. You you had this yearning to become a part of this world. What do you think that was? The yearning part of it. Why did you want to be part of wrestling? What was it about wrestling in particular?

Well, a few things, I think, because I grew up in it. and not only did I grow up in it, but man, I loved it. I loved wrestling, I love the antics of it. I love the characters of it, and especially at that. time, you know, when you grow up in the 80s, wrestling back then, late 70s, 80s was a whole different, I think, unique experience in that a lot of people bought into it. and they felt like it was real.

and they'd have these local stars every week. and they'd be on their television sets, just their local TVs, and they would talk down the lens about what. they're going to do to their opponent. this Saturday night at whatever little arena they're wrestling in. I loved all that, and I had a front row seat watching my dad and my grandfather. and everybody in my family, live their passions, and it's what they, I believe we're all born to do. Wow. And so.

I think the yearning of it. It started to happen for me. when, to be honest, when we were evicted out of Hawaii. So we were living in a little apartment. We were evicted when I was 13 or 14 years old. And I remember in that moment I never wanted to feel that again. I was with my mom and we came home. and there was a padlock or there was a notice. So you have a week to get out. And that was it and that was it. And I remember just her and I, and she was standing there. She was crying. She didn't know what to do.

And, my dad was wrestling, in Tennessee at that time. And I remember then thinking, I never want to experience this again. And what can I do to change it? What can I do? Like what can I do with my own two hands? 14. so I can't do shit right? That's a tough place to be in as a 14 year old. A 14 year old. Right. So, I, I remember at that time thinking, well, all the heroes in my life are these guys, these guys who are. They're big, they're strong, they're pro wrestlers. I should if I bet you if I built my body.

and if I went to the gym, then I could change the scenario. So from that moment, I think that defining moment. now, years later, I fell in love with the game of football. Right? I love playing football. My goals shifted to, well, maybe I got a shot to go to the NFL. I was at University of Miami, great school. We were national champions, played for it on two other occasions. I mean, we were battling back, those hurricanes back then, did. I think you were in Johannesburg at that time? Yeah, yeah.

You know, that's way back. Yeah, in the 90s. But, we were really balling. So, I shifted my goals. And then when that didn't happen with the NFL, I took it as a sign. And I remember thinking. this, I need to close this chapter in my life. Really listen to my gut. And I want to turn my attention to something. I think I'm going to be so passionate about. And I think I was born to do one of the things I find.

fascinating about you as a person is how you engage, how you choose. to engage with internal doubts and external doubts, which I think. as humans we face. I saw a video of yours on on Instagram. You're in the gym and you're answering a question. and it was a great question. You know, someone saying to you, how do you deal with the criticism, you know, and how do you filter the criticism. that you receive in your life? That's right. What what what I was intrigued by was.

who the criticism came to. And I'll tell you why. I'll tell you why. You are somebody who has, for a very long time created content. that aims to entertain, uplift it, you know, in some way inspire you. You've done that. We've seen you, whether it's your music, whether it's, you know, it's like you, you like making people feel. good. You like bringing that light into the world, I really do. Yeah, yeah. And I over the past few weeks have been thinking to myself, man,

we're living in a world where it's become harder and harder. for anyone to exist. or to do anything, even with a good intention, and not find some sort of criticism at the end of that. And I feel like you're the paragon of that here. You have Dwayne Johnson, and it's funny, I was. I was chatting to Oprah about this a few days ago. You know, the fires in Maui, fires happen. some of the most devastating fires in American history. Immediately, Dwayne Johnson, the Rock. and Oprah come together and say, hey, we're going to we're going to help.

We're going to put our money into a fund, and we're asking everyone to join us. Just do what we're doing in any way you can, and let's make a change. The greatest sense of empowerment is being able to have some control. when everything seems so out of control. And we're calling it. the People's Fund of Maui, because every dollar that you send. is going to go into an account that goes directly to the people. Oprah on the Rock are giving $10 million to get the fund started,

and they're calling for others to make donations. And, I mean, you saw what happened overnight. I thought I'd missed something. I don't know if this I don't know what was it like from. from your office because I thought I'd missed something. I saw the initial call and I went, wow, okay, cool. We all doing something. We're trying to do something. And then, you know, when you feel like you've missed a news cycle. Yeah, like, oh, the Rock and Oprah under fire. I was like, but for what? And people were like, oh, you're the problem. And how dare you? And why would you? And I was like, ma'am, our whole lives.

people have asked people to join in to a worthy cause. Sure. When did this become a criticism or a fight? And I'd love to know how you process that. Sure, sure. I woke up the next morning, wondering the same thing, thinking. what? What happened? Did did I miss did I miss something? Didn't wait. Did something I know, yeah, but. So it took me a couple of weeks to really process that. And I felt like that moment.

was a pivotal moment for me in my life, for a few reasons. Number one, I want to go back to the, the, the brass tacks of it and the whole idea of creating this. fund, the People's Fund of Maui, is to help people and help survivors. And these are my people. These are my Polynesian people, my Hawaiian. Can I go Ohana? Yeah. Aina. a my grandparents,

they're all buried in the islands, you know? So it meant so much to me. And I know it meant so much to our people, right? That we were able to come together and create this fund. Over 8000 survivors, by the way. Wow, we're helping right now. It's really beautiful. But what's interesting is when all that started to happen. and the backlash started to happen and it started to come our way. So I always feel like in moments like that, it's important. not to get caught up in it.

It's important just to pause. Let's be prudent. Let let's pause. let let me just wait and see and. I felt like my gut said it's. going to take a couple of weeks, but let me really take a look at it. I don't want to respond to it right now. Yeah. Let's stay focused on the mission and the mission. is to help the survivors right now. who have nothing, and they are devastated. and so let's continue to stand the fund up on its feet. But at the same time, I want to pay attention to this, and I really it,

it really tested my ability to separate. noise from criticism that was really worthy of my attention in this case. and this noise. And at first, it was a wave of noise. Okay, how dare you ask us money? And I thought the same thing you did was right. We. Whatever you can give, if you want to give a prayer. Great. A buck, seven bucks, seven sentence or nothing. so there was the the noise.

that started to feel like it was political noise. Then it started to feel like it was, it just started to feel really noisy. And I wanted to make sure that we just pause. And I was just waiting for, well, where's the criticism here. that is worthy of my attention? That really makes sense. And then, that's it. This is what I feel like God did. It took me weeks before I figured this out, and I had. I just had a moment one night, and I think I was, as I usually.

do, I was having a drink. Drinks often. help clear my mind and clear all this shit up in my head. And once all that left, I thought, that's it. And I saw someone had posted something. and it was something to the effect of basically, I don't pay attention to these guys, and all this other bullshit. that they're saying, however, you're one of us. And when I read you're one of us. was the thing that made me go, got it. Went back to when I was in Hawaii.

When I got evicted, we had nothing. I was a troubled kid. I got arrested like you. I mean, you know, we're both in trouble, kids. arrested multiple times. I was always pissed that we were broke. There's a difference between being poor and then being broke. Yep. And I was pissed. I was always angry getting in fights, getting in trouble. And the last thing I realized in that moment, the last thing that I wanted to hear was somebody asked me for money. Especially if the dude who I liked is asking me for money,

and he already has money and I get it. And a lot of times when you're in that situation, I've been there when you're living paycheck to paycheck, You're in it. Yeah. And you're not necessarily vibrating, you know, at a certain level. and you're in it. So I came out of that and I went, that's right. I got it. Now I understand. And you know what last thing you wanted was to hear. people ask for money regardless of the situation. I admire how you think.

I admire how you moved through the world, on, on multiple levels because you strike me as somebody. who has witnessed and experienced a lot of conflict. You also strike me as somebody. who doesn't wish to be a perpetuate a of any conflict. You know, I see in you something, you know as you say, we got into trouble when we were young, both of us. raised for a large part of our lives by our moms, you know, and, and, and you,

you see in somebody, you go like, man, this, this guys is trying to move in a certain way. He's trying to do things in a, in a different way. that there was a there was a moment when you. when you talked about politics and you've always stayed out of it, you know, which which I appreciate for people who do. and literally before you came on, I was talking to, you know, my team and I was saying in South Africa when we grew up, we had a simple rule. And that rule was your vote is your secret. And the reason we believed in that was. mostly for people's safety. We said no one should know how anybody votes.

so that nobody gets intimidated to vote a certain way or not. And the other one was just for civil discourse votes. But let's talk as humans don't don't start the conversation with. I voted like this. Now here's the conversation. Just have the conversation. That's right. You'll be shocked at how many times we're blocked. because we start with the label as opposed to just the conversation. That's right. You know. That's right. And so. I look at your life and here's, here's, here's a thing that, that, that that always struck me was you live in a country that is so divided.

You live in a country if you will fight about everything. And then this poll came out and it said. 43 or 46% of the country. would love the idea of Dwayne Johnson running for president. And I remember seeing that I was like, damn. I mean, it either means you are the paragon of what people would hope. a leader would be, or it means things have gotten so bad. that they like, we need somebody who's going to come in here. and lay the smackdown on everybody, you know what I mean?

I do. So let's talk through two things. the one is your response was interesting. You said if people if that was something. that people wanted me to do, I would consider it or I would do it. Tell me why you said that or. what you would hope to achieve in that world. And and then also tell me how you see politics. Do you have an interesting view? Not the not political parties, but just like the way humans interact. with each other. Sure. well, a few things. I just want to go back for a second.

because you said something about, and at least. this was my interpretation of what you said about, you know, we could screw up. We fuck up at a time, and. Yes, just like. Yeah, but we learn from it, and I try not to make those mistakes again. Yeah, but I also do my best these days, Trevor. And this has taken years, by the way, to. not let. ego judgment, or early anticipation. shaped my ability to receive.

what is happening. Oh. Oh, it's not easy. No, man. It's it's not easy. And so many times in the past, it has stifled. either my growth or my ability to see something and go, you know what? I never looked at it like that. Thank you for bringing that up. It's going to help shape me as I walk forward. So, and I just want to touch on that because I think it's important. And I know the majority of people out there, we want to be better. I do, I agree, we want to be we want to be good.

We want to be good. We want to learn from our mistakes. so that was an interesting poll that happened, and I was really moved by that. And it was really, blown away. And I was I was really honored. I was, I'll share. I'll just I'll. share this a little bit with you at the beginning of the year, at the end of the year, rather, in 2022, I got a visit from the parties. asking me if I was going to run and if I could run. Wow. You.

It was a big deal. And it came out of the blue. Wow. And it was one after the other. And, they brought up that poll. They also brought up their own deep dive, research. and data that would prove, should I ever decide to go down that road, that would be a real contender. Yeah. And it was. It was. all very surreal because that's never been my goal. My goal has never been to be in politics. And in fact, there's a lot about politics that I. Hey, yeah, yeah, I know this about you. Yeah.

so I was moved by that and the reason. why I had given that response, that's truly what the people want. Then, of course, I would consider it. and after that response, that's when the parties came. but then I really had to double down on this idea. And this is the truth, which is why I got little ones and I also I. So I have three daughters, right, right. a lot of estrogen in my house, and and I love it.

but I have a 22 year old daughter, and I have a seven, and I have a five. Yeah. And the 22 year old daughter, Simone, we essentially I like to say, man, we grew up together. And I also know what it's like to be in a occupation that took me away. And I was, as a pro wrestler, full time wrestling 230 dates. a year for years as she came into the world. So I know what it's like. to have that separation and not be there for the birthdays, not be there for the pick ups, the drop offs and everything else. And I didn't want that. I don't want that for my little ones now. Right.

And so that was my one of my primary discussions with the parties. who ultimately were. like, yeah, but the other ones have done it like this. But so with the response, I responded in that way, I thought it was important. And I do feel that way, by the way, if that's ultimately what. the people would want, then. of course I would consider it. Wow, the people's champ. That's. I love the way your face lights up when you speak about your daughters.

It happens every time. You can't control it. If I was playing a game of poker with you, I try and put a picture of your daughters on the card. because I would know which card you have wins, right? I think what I, what I appreciate most about it. is that I think you have, in many major ways, changed the way people perceive what it means to be a dad. And I think it's beautiful. You know, for so long, a dad. was considered a strong man, didn't cry, and, you know, stiff upper lip.

Come on, chin up, kids, come on. Keep moving. Yeah. And then here comes what many would consider, you know, the definition of manhood. And you have your your little girls painting your face, painting your nails, you wearing tutus, playing with them. You are fully in their world. You are a proud girl, dad. And you are raising these girls into women. And you see it in your eyes. How do you think they've shaped your perception of masculinity?

How do you think they've shaped how you want to be a man and and. what are you consciously trying to think of. for their perception of men as they grow up? Well, you just said it. I mean, that's it. Let's start with the last thing you said, because it's the anchoring thing that is, I am. their model of what a man will be. I'm their first man in their life. So I take that, with all the DNA that I got in my body and I take that.

not only so serious, but I also I want to be that example for them. Now, let me just take you back for a second. The man who raised me, who was my dad, was my dad, Rocky Johnson. Right. His dad died when he was 13. Those holiday, the holidays that came up after his dad's death, a new boyfriend was in. And picture. Boyfriend gets drunk, pisses on the turkey. My dad's 13. he grabbed a shovel, a big shovel. My dad did, and drew a line in the dirt and said,

if you cross that line, I'm going to kill you. The drunk asshole crossed the line. He knocked him out cold as a block of ice. Your dad knocked him out. My dad knocked him out with a shovel and tried to kill him. Wow. 13. they're dirt poor. They live in Amherst, Nova Scotia. The cops come and the cops say, well, he's still unconscious, but he's not dead. When he wakes up, 1 or 2 things is going to happen. He's going to kill your son, or your son is going to kill him. So the cops recommendation to my dad's mom was one of them has to go.

You know where I'm going with this now? She's. She looked at her son, my dad. His name was Wade, and said, you have to go. So 13. He's out on the streets. Now, the reason why I tell you that story is. that's my dad's capacity for love. 13 you're gone. So that's the man that raised me, So that's the stiff upper lip, right?

Come on, work through it. You'll be good. Right? Get up. I'm getting up. You're getting up. We're going to the gym. I'm five. I can't go to the gym. You're going to the gym. You sit in the corner, you watch. And that's. That was how I grew up. You're coming with me to the wrestling matches. It was always rough. It was tough. But his. That's his version of love. Okay, so now, years later, when I have the blessing to become a dad. And to these three beautiful daughters man. I learned so much from my dad on work ethic.

Yeah. Discipline. Respect is given when it's earned. Be proud of who you are. Be proud of your skin color and what what makes you up your DNA. But at the same time, I also know what it's like. not to be hugged, and not to be kissed on the cheek. And so in that and learning of that, now. I turn to my daughters and it's, oh, you want to paint my face? Hit the paint. Oh, well, how many colors do you want to put on? What do you want to paint my nails. You want this? You want to do that?

You wanna hit me in the balls? Okay, great. I close my eyes. I know it's coming. It's that game. I close your eyes, daddy. Okay, here we go, man. So yeah, man, I mean, I, I love and appreciate my old man. We have a complicated relationship, but my daughters helped. shape me being a man. My dad helped shape me being a man, but also being a father. on what to do. And you know, the stuff that I missed. and that I want to give to my little girls.

I feel like for many young men out there, you have become a guiding light that moves them in a certain direction. You know, there's no denying that. many young men in the world right now feel lost. Yes. You know, and I think personally, I think it's because. a lot of young men grew up in a world where they were. just told the world would give them what it's supposed to give them, and that would be the way it's supposed to be. And now that it isn't, they don't know how to exist within that.

You know, they go, are women replacing us. or are we still allowed to be men? And it can be confusing with some of the messages that people get it. It's it's noisy, it's noisy. And I think somebody like you exist in a space where you inspire. these young men in a really powerful and particular way, you know, because it's not just with with your daughters. You're you're so open about challenges. One of those is, is depression. There was a time in the industry. There was a time in the world a man couldn't come out and say, hey, man, I'm struggling with depression.

hands a moment in my life that was tough. No, you couldn't be an action star. and say you had anything wrong in your world. and still be the top grossing action star in the world. That I feel like is one of the best looking too, as well. I mean, I mean, this is of course I forgive me, will educated. and of course, and the best looking. Let's make sure we throw that in and the best looking. But we'd like you. That's that's probably one of my favorite villains. you fought against and beaten is the stigma against.

speaking about the struggle that you may have in your mind. when you spoke about that, when you revealed that, was there a part of you that was afraid of revealing this? Didn't even think about it? Didn't even look at it that way? I didn't think, well, I don't know, maybe I shouldn't. Maybe there's a reputation I should uphold. Big, strong men. Strong men. it's that culture. How is it going to be received? I didn't really think about it.

I just remember I don't remember exactly when, But I remember. being in an interview or something, and then just start. I started talking about it, and I realized as I was saying it, and I certainly realized that after the feedback I got. and this was probably years ago, of how much it help, how much it helped guys, how much it helped men, how much it helped people. So, you know, I. but also, Trevor, I went through bouts of depression.

not knowing what I was going through. Yeah, I didn't know what depression was 20 years ago. There wasn't. Oh, this is depression, right? It's mental health. Yeah. People. People back then just thought you were perpetually sad. They thought you were sad. They thought maybe you were hungover. they thought a lot of things. They thought maybe you need to get on medication, and. But you know what? They also a lot of people thought and people still think this today is. Yeah, but it's a it's a choice. You'll get through it.

Wake up. It's a choice to be happy. It's a choice to be sad. So come on. Like buck up. Right. You got this move on. When a lot of times you just wake up blue and you don't have that choice. And it's not that easy. You just don't turn it on or turn it off. And I also realized as I went down the road. once I started to realize what it was, why I felt. I didn't want to do anything, why I was emotional. about things at first. It happened at University of Miami when I was 18 years old.

I came in, everything was great. I was on top, I get injured, complete reconstruction with my shoulder, I was done, I wasn't participating in team meetings, practice. I wasn't going to class a first time away from home. You're isolated. Isolated? Yeah, brother. And it all converged. I went through my first bout of depression back then. Also, back when I had seven bucks in my pocket. And then when I got a divorce and so on and so on and so on. And then once I started to realize what it was, I started to.

not only. not only did it help me realize it realized what it was, but then realize the power of talking about it. and how important that is. And now I can tell young men and young. women, kids, students, older people, it doesn't matter. Hey, it's your superpower. It's okay. Talk about it, right? Be open if you're feeling blue, if you're feeling fucked up, if you don't have the answers.

Even if you don't know why. Because a lot of times, sure, there's a thing. Yeah, that this thing happened. Therefore I'm depressed. But a lot of times people just wake up. and the skies are gray. Yep. And you don't know what to do. And one of the most powerful things you can do is, number one, know you're not alone. Know that if you're experiencing it, there's a lot of other people out there experiencing. it too and talk about it, I appreciate that, I really do. And what do you do? And when that happens, I'm curious.

So what I try and do is I track, and I track the winning. The why are you open about talking about oh yeah. Yeah. So friends you always that way though or did it. No no no because I didn't understand you know. So before I was diagnosed with ADHD, I didn't know what. I didn't even know what was happening. I thought I struggled with depression, I didn't. I didn't know until I read about it and really, you know, spend some time with some great people, you know, therapists and just experts in the field. I didn't even know that depression was just a symptom.

It was a byproduct of ADHD. I actually don't suffer from depression. I thought I did, so I speak about it all the time because I, I one you get rid of the stigma, but two you start to understand. I think there's something cool about understanding things. You know, there's something really nice in knowing how it works. And so, for myself, what I do now is I will just do a check in. of what's happening behind everything. If I wake up feeling blue, I just ask myself simple questions.

How long do I sleep for? What did I eat last night's, Do I have something big coming up? Did I not finish a conversation yesterday? I just try and check. I don't get the answer. I just ask questions and then I'll do it again. I'll be like, man, I don't feel like doing anything today. I'll be like, okay, what are you doing? Do you even want other days when you want to do it? And if it's yes, what's different today? And I find if you just check in with yourself and almost used. like I know now is trouble, if I haven't slept, then yeah, my motivation isn't where it needs to be.

You know, I. if I eat late, my sleep isn't good and that affects me as well. If I, if I'm not around my people, my community, if I don't recharge, that's something that's always going to affect me. And so I, I try and check in you. I want to go back to what you said though about, you know, divorce. Again, I would love to understand how you did this. and what you can teach us about your experience. Many people will experience divorce.

You know again it's, it's something that's shrouded in shame. Nobody wants to happen. They stay in marriages forever. But even when they can't or shouldn't, you got divorced but your divorce is really unique. in that your ex-wife is my business partner. Your business partner? Yes. Your ex-wife is the person who's helped you turn. the rock from an individual into an idea that spans the globe. Dwayne Johnson is everything from tequila to, you know, workout. apparel with under armor to wrestling and movies and music and.

sexiest Man alive. Sexiest man Alive, of course. Of course I will throw more of these in, I apologize, Sexiest Man Alive. but but I'd love to know on on an on a relationship level, how are you able. to be in a divorce with somebody? And I and I ask this for everyone who's in any relationship. and then still find a way to love and respect them. enough to move forward. Because I'm sure the divorce was hard. Yes. What did you learn that enabled you to work with your ex-wife. to achieve everything that you've done and still do today?

I learned exactly that. What you just said, that we can still make it all happen. We just have to be unattached to how we get there. And let's also be unattached to what the original goal was. Now, the original goal wasn't divorce, and divorce was fucking hard, man. And especially at that age for me, I was getting a divorce. I transitioned out of wrestling, and when I left wrestling, I was on top. I was very lucky and fortunate. I was on top Main Event and I thought, if I. but I want to expand, I want to grow and I want to bring wrestling.

with me. and then I thought, God, this is the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life. Like. And so that was that. And going through a divorce at the same time, our daughter at that time, maybe it was 3 or 4 years old. who's going to be raising her along with me? Who's another man? Eventually, I'm sure she will meet another man. Like there was all that shit that was going on in my head. what I realized was.

with Danny, my ex-wife, who is now my business partner. We're great friends. And, And as a force unto herself, she really is. She really is extremely, proud of everything that she's accomplished. is we realized early, once we kind of got through the. Okay, we're going to get a divorce. This is real. This is happening. It's not what we signed up for. You know, is there a version of this. as we move forward where we started to build. this business together?

Can we continue to build this business together? Is that possible? Are we fucking crazy? And the thought was, well, let's look at the the dynamic here. We have a beautiful daughter. We have an opportunity now to show her a way, post something not working out. Post a relationship and marriage not working out, but being an example for her of how you can work through something. and resolve something. And on the other side of it, it may not.

what you may not be originally what you signed up for, but who knows. It could be better. And so we realized that and then we went to work. And when I said we went to work, it is bringing in the experts right now. And I'm not talking about lawyers. We kept them off to the side. and we figured all that on our own. That's beautiful, that we figured it all out on our own. And then we went to them. But we brought in the experts, the relationship expert, right, who are going to help us through this thing. and we wound up doing it took a lot of work,

and a lot of grinding because you start to unpack a lot of stuff. and you start to realize, a lot of stuff about yourself, about your partner, about the relationship, about how you see the world, how you see everything, how you see love, how you think you're pretty good at relationships, but actually you're not. And you've got a lot to learn. So, so that's what we did, and it wound up being, a great decision. I'm so happy for you. I got a question for you, though. Yeah. So there's a moment.

I feel like it happens in all of our lives where it's that. seminal, defining moment where you go, this is why I was born. This thing right now. Now I'm talking specifically about a passion and this thing. So tell me a little bit. I heard the story, but I want to confirm it with you. because I think it's phenomenal. And I have something very similar. Yeah. Which bonds us here is. So you went to a show and I'm assuming you were in, Jo'burg. Yeah.

And you were there and one of your buddies got up. and he started performing, and it might have been open. mic or something like that, I don't know. Yeah. And he didn't do that. Well. Right. He might still be your buddy. So I don't want to say he sucks. because he might be listening right now. But he didn't do that well. And another one of your buddies looked at you was like, hey man. Right. You're funny. Why don't you get up there? And you got up there? So it was it was actually messier than that. But yeah. Carry on. Okay. And you got up there. I can't wait to hear the messy version of that. But you got up there and you moved the crowd. Yeah.

And there was something about that moment that made you go. There could be something here. Right. Tapped into a light and a voice. Yeah. Behind your ribcage. Right. Tell me about that. So what actually happened was stand up comedy wasn't a thing. in South Africa before democracy because free speech was illegal. So you start with that. So the only people who could do stand up. comedy were people who didn't say. anything about the government, and they were white. Anyone of any color couldn't do stand up. So you have this burgeoning industry that pops off this world. that's never existed. In many ways.

It was like the wrestling. that your dad was a part of and what you started in. That's right. Is this ragtag affair of, you know, where everyone knew everyone. Yes. You just find a space, you make it happen. You try to get the locals to pop in and this is it. You don't know how it's going to go. You don't know what it's going to be. You're just begging anyone with a venue. to allow you to put on this motley crew of ideas. Yes, and it's going to be real. Yeah, but I didn't know about stand up comedy as a concept. That's how I knew it was. In South Africa. I was living. with my cousin and best friend at the time, and they said to me one day, hey, we're going to go to a stand up.

comedy show. I was like, well, what? What is that? Even? They were like, are we going to go to the show? Come join us? I was like, all right, we roll, we go over it together. Yeah, I get to this place. It's actually a bar, you know, a little corner spot in the middle of downtown. Johannesburg, a place called New Town. And we're sitting there and some guy climbs onto stage, and it was so ragtag, they had to climb through a window to get onto the stage. It's like a little window on the side. There's no like it's not a real stage. Climbs onto this little platform, holds the mic, start speaking.

People start laughing. Does this thing comedian name given name loud. Great guy. And then he's on stage. But the night was bad. Comedians have bad nights. You know what it's like as a performer. Sure, you know what it's like when they're people. that I mean, you were doing it. to hundreds, then thousands, then, you know what I mean? Tens of thousands of people, you know, you know what it's like when a line doesn't land. You know what it's like when a moment doesn't connect. It was also no the high. Yeah, yeah, yeah. First line hits. Yeah. You're off to the right. So it wasn't working well for the comedians. My cousin gets drunk.

he says from this he starts heckling and he goes, he's like, boo is terrible because it's so small. Everybody knows each other. The guy from stage goes, he's like, Lou, shut up, man. You know how hard we work. And he's like, you guys suck. So he says, why don't you come on stage and try it? And my cousin goes, well, I don't know if I could do that, but Trevor can. I'm sober. now. I'm like, I've just been thrust into this mix. I go, hey, I know nothing about this. I have no beef with anybody. I don't think the comedian turns to me and he goes, oh,

you think you're so big, why don't you come on stage? I said, I've said nothing, I've said nothing. And then he and then he added, like coaxed me. Now it's pride. Now I'm like, all right, let's do it. Because of the friends. Yeah, I go, I get on stage and and I remember. I didn't, I literally didn't know what to do. And I turned to my friends. I'm like, what am I going to what am I going to say? And he said, just tell them that story. about the Nigerian guy fixing your VCR machine. Just tell them that story. I was like, okay. And I got on stage and I told that story.

and people were howling and people were crying, laughing. And it was it connected me to. something that has taken me more than a decade to understand. And it's that. I grew up in a household and in a country and in a society. with so much violence and so much pain that I have loved. and yearned and enjoyed for nothing more than to make people feel good. Do you know what I'm saying? Amen. Like when people come to a show and you've seen what it's like.

and people will tell you stories, my dad had cancer and the only thing we connected around was the show. My family was going through this tough time and we loved the show. You know, there's. there's a powerful thing that you can do in giving to another. The joy that you may not even have in that moment. And so that's that's something that I've always found for myself. And that's what I, I mean, we were. we were doing your moves in the gym at school. We had detention, we had detention, and we had this like, giant room. where, you would just get locked in.

And I was like, that's your detention. It was like a gym, really, but it was a massive gym. And we would put out all these mats. and we'd be like, art would practicing the Rock's moves. Let's go. And everyone would get in there. And I'm talking like almost two, two stories high. Yeah. And we'd climb up on the railing. This was our cage match, and you'd grab someone you get, you know what I mean? You get up on the drums. You're right. The rock bottom, baby. And you get in right underneath, and then you'd jump down and we'd slam each other. But that's what I mean. Think about. Think about that collection. Think about how far that was. Think about how far you were from me in South Africa.

Think about how far I was from you in the United States. And yet, in that moment, we were connected. And so I think that's what I love. That's why I'm having this conversation with you. That's why I want to talk about things in the world, is because. we've forgotten. that the same thing that connects us into the worst of each other. can be used to connect us and to the best of each other. That's right. We can reach consensus. We can discover new ideas. We can learn. Yeah. You know, you don't agree. with your friends on everything, but they still your friends, your family, you fight with them, but you still love them, you know.

And so that's that's literally like, you know, we can we can learn, we can find resolve. And I don't know anybody who does it better than you, genuinely. You have a you have a way of stringing it all together. You never left the wrestling fans behind. They still love you. They still respect you. You've never turned your back on it. You know, you've always loved the fans of your movies. and the things that you do. You sport the same thing, the love that you show, you know, you know, whether it's XFL, whether it's NFL, you show that love. and that passion. You have that and that's and you know Trevor I appreciate that.

Look, I gotta thank you for telling me that story by the way. I love that. And you're the best looking man on the planet. The sexiest man alive. I mean, this is this is. Come on. This is this is something we have to acknowledge. We we always have to acknowledge. I make my family acknowledge it every time. Everybody line up and tell me right now. but I got to say that thank you for telling me that story. I heard that, so I heard a version of that. Yeah, this version is even better, but it actually goes deeper than what. I expected to hear, because this idea that we have this passion.

and I always like to say. one of our anchoring tenants in just any business. that I do or anything that I do, I want to send people I'm happy. I don't want to make them happy and it's just that simple. And I feel like if we're lucky enough to be in this position where. we can influence a person to like me and like you, but this idea that, hey, come to us and do all I can to make you feel good. and send you home happy, what a blessing that is.

It truly is. Yeah. So before I let you go, I have one question. that I want to ask all my guests. All right? Because you meet people at a moment in time. You know, had I met you a few decades ago, you would be stepping into wrestling. And I met you, and another time, you'd be stepping into the world of Hollywood. Well, people said you would never break into. because of, like, who would watch a guy named Dwayne? And yet here you are. You know, the most popular and sexiest Dwayne on the planet. You know, you didn't have to put mustard on it, but it's true, Dwayne.

It's true. No, no, no, no, but I'm saying it. I love it because it's part of your success. It's the hero's journey. It is the hero's journey. Yes. So what now? You know you are now in a place in your life where. you are still able to be an athlete in wrestling. And, you know, you went back now with the strike. you know, you also are somebody. who is powerful in, in Hollywood and in the industry. You know, you show that with your donation to the writers. I mean, so the screen Actors Guild, you know,

you see your efforts in philanthropy, you're a powerhouse in and. I mean, making drinks, you know, it's like, here you are. but but what now? What's what is. the thing that you are looking for, not just on a professional level, but in your life, like, you know, where does Dwayne Johnson go? All right. This is this is the next step that I'm trying to get to. Oh, this is the next thing. that I'm trying to achieve in myself as a human being. Yes. The next thing is this, let me preface with, man, I'm lucky.

And I feel like along the way. I got lucky and you hear, well, the harder. you work, the luckier you get. And that could be true. But I do feel that by the grace of God, man, there's just. I had just these angels I feel like along the way. Yeah. I just help guide and shape and shift me. And take care of me at the darkest and lowest. And, those angels, by the way, are still in my life. I could count them on one hand, have fingers left over, I'd like to say. But,

So I want to preface it with how grateful I am. And I'm a lucky guy to be in this position, and I'm lucky to. Had climbed. a mountain and breathing a certain air that I'm. well aware that at times it's a rare air as well. And the thing I want to do now. is not stay here. in this place on this mountain, but I want to build more mountain,

I want to build more mountain professionally, but more importantly. than professionally, I want to build more mountain. spiritually, emotionally. Humanity is so important to me. And not only build more mountain, but then bring everyone with me. so we can all build new mountain, right? So it's all about building new mountain for me. And in that, that is the and again, we could distill this down into no,

no no no. But I know what you mean. You know what I'm saying. Yeah. It's build new mountain. It's growing. It's being open. And especially now when there is so much noise, there's so much toxicity. Yeah, yeah, there's so much bullshit that everybody is dealing with. from the moment you wake up. Yes. Moment. you go to bed, you open your phone, turn the TV on, listen to the radio. It's there's so much toxicity and noise. But man, there's also so much good stuff out there too as well. So. build new mountain.

I love that build new mountain and bring everyone with you. So we're all building new mountain together. I love it well, Dwayne The Rock Johnson, sexiest man alive. Thank you for your time. Thank you. You know what's great? You will always have been my first guest. You know what I love about the full circle of things. And I'll leave you with this. So me, the first guest I had on The Daily Show was Kevin Hart. Wow. And the reason I always appreciate the first. is because the firsts have to do something. that most people are afraid to do,

and that is trust in what they don't know. You come here, you don't know how this could go, you don't know how this would. And I honestly, I appreciate that from you as a human being. I remember what happened with Kevin on The Daily Show. No one would be my first guest. People were terrified. They're like, who is this guy? We don't know what he is. We don't know what he stands for. South Africa. What is that even where is that? What part of Africa? The South. We put in the name for a reason. But people did not care. They were like, we're not. We can't come. And I said, let's ask Kevin Hart. And they're like, oh, but Kevin Hart's a superstar, so let's just ask him. Yeah.

Kevin responded instantly. Said, I'm in. He said, I'm in. And I remember I asked him, I said, I said, why? And Kevin said, because I remember what it was like to be the person. that nobody wanted to give a shot. I remember what it was like to be at the bottom of this ladder. And he said, and if I can, it's funny you say that. I see why you guys get along so much. He said. If I can be a part of building your ladder, sign me up. And so I'm glad that I now have what I consider one of the best pairings. as both of my first. Thank you so much, brother. Well, thank you brother for having me on and congratulations.

on not only an incredible career, but also a groundbreaking one too. I appreciate it, man. Thank you so much. Thank you brother. All right, let's get you to the next billion dollars. I cost you some money here. Oh seven. What now with Trevor Noah is produced. by Spotify Studios in partnership with Day Zero Productions, Fulwell 73 and Odyssey's Pineapple Street Studios. The show is executive produced by Trevor Noah, Ben Winston, Jenna Weiss Berman, and Barry Finkel,

produced by Emanuel Happiness, Janelle Anderson and Marina Hankey. Music. Mixing and mastering by Hannah Brown. Thank you so much for taking the time and tuning in. Thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy the conversation. I hope we left you with something. and, hopefully we'll see you again next week. Same time, which is whenever you listen, same place, which is wherever you listened. Next Thursday, all new episode. What now?