Entertainment

Dwayne Johnson reveals real inspiration behind his 'Moana' character

The former 'WWE' star shared a heartfelt post dedicated to his grandfather

Published June 15, 2026
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Dwayne Johnson reveals real inspiration behind his 'Moana' character

Dwayne Johnson revealed his grandfather, Peter Maivia, was his inspiration behind "MAUI," a fictional character in the animated movie Moana.

​The Jumanji actor opened up about his grandfather's successful wrestling career and penned down a touching tribute in memory of Peter Maivia, who was a professional wrestler.

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​He shared a video of himself gushing over his grandfather's remarkable wrestling skills, also featuring throwback clips of Peter in the ring.

​Dwayne wrote, The inspiration behind MAUI was my grandfather, HIGH CHIEF PETER MAIVIA."

Recalling Peter's journey in Hawaii, he continued, "43 years ago, this past weekend — my grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, began his walk in the clouds, as God and the universe called him home right from here in Hawaii."

​"The High Chief’s charisma was off the charts, his hair, his tattoos, he was built like a tank, moved like a cheetah, tough as nails, and sang like an angel," Dwayne said, adding, "I miss him."

​The proud grandson further shared, "This is why the character of MAUI is so deeply personal to me - keeps my grandfather’s spirit close to my heart."

​"Love you grandpa," Dwayne noted, before concluding the post in his grandfather's style, saying, "ALOOOOHAAAAAAA."

Moana live-action is all set to hit theaters on July 10.


Maliha Javed
Maliha Javed is an entertainment journalist with one year of experience, covering celebrity controversies, viral moments, and trending stories. She navigates the fast-paced digital landscape, breaking down complex narratives into clear, engaging reports that keep readers informed and connected to the latest entertainment buzz.
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