Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson happy to wear a skirt at the Met Gala
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was happy to wear a skirt to the Met Gala because he believes they are worn by the "most masculine" of men.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson believes skirts are worn by the "most masculine" of men.
The 54-year-old wrestler-turned-actor attended the Met Gala at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art for the first time on Monday (04.05.26) night and he explained his custom all-black Thom Browne outfit, which incorporated a mohair tailcoat, white shirt and a pleated skirt over trousers, was partly inspired by his Polynesian heritage.
He told reporters at the event: “I feel great. First, [Thom Browne’s team] sent the illustrations over and [asked], ‘Hey, is DJ going to be cool with this pleated skirt?’
"And I was like, ‘Look, in our culture, Polynesian culture, we rock lavalavas, we rock skirts.’
"The most masculine men, not that I’m one of them, but the most masculine men wear lavalavas and skirts.”
The theme for this year's Met Gala was Costume Art, with a dress code of Fashion is Art, and the Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle actor reflected on how he felt like "both" the art and the artist.
He explained to the Hollywood Reporter that he had been discussing with fellow attendee Colman Domingo: "What this is is the beauty of art, and sometimes it’s a walking expression of art, and I could feel that.
"So am I the art or the artist? I think I’m both, and maybe that’s a cool place to be in.”
Dwayne has voiced the shape-shifting demigod Maui in the 2016 animated movie Moana and its 2024 sequel, and he recently explained he agreed to return to the character for Disney's upcoming live action film because of what it means to his Polymesian ancestors.
Debuting footage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas last month, he said: “I lived with this character of Maui for 10-plus years. The animated version was just an amazing experience for us as Polynesian people...
“There’s something special and important [when] you take animation into live-action. We’re able to showcase our Pacific island, real people, and it’s humbling and inspiring all at once.”
Dwayne explained he had sought inspiration for his own grandfather when it came to his character.
Opening his phone to share a picture of his late relative, he said: "The character of Maui was deeply inspired by my grandfather. This is for you, High Chief.”
The film sees newcomer Catherine Laga'aia take on the title role of Moana and Dwayne expressed his pride in working with her.
He said: “All men of all ages, we should champion and support all women.”
