Dwayne Johnson Accused of Public Indecency Ahead of ‘Moana 2’ Premiere

Moana 2 (2024) star Auli’i Cravalho just came to the defense of her Demigod costar.

Months ago, allegations surfaced of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Maui) behaving unprofessionally on the set of Red One (2024). The WWE star was accused of tardiness, rude behavior, and even peeing in bottles instead of using onset bathrooms.

On July 18, Cravalho spoke to Us Weekly for Coral Reef Awareness Week, drawing attention to the natural world that helped inspire Moana (2016). A reporter asked the Mean Girls (2023) star about working with Johnson.

Cravalho didn’t address the Red One controversy but said she and Johnson have developed a close bond over the last eight years.

“He’s wonderful,” she said. “He is a hometown hero also, so I feel almost like he’s a big brother or an uncle to me because I’ve heard about him since my childhood, since before Moana.”

Cravalho recalled the first time she met Johnson: “Getting to meet him, at first, was kind of like, ‘I get to meet The Rock, a superstar.’ And now, I have him via text.”

Johnson will also star as Demigod Maui in the upcoming live-action Moana (2026), whereas Cravalho will remain behind the scenes as an executive producer on the film. Catherine Laga’aia will take over as the iconic Polynesian Disney Princess.

Cravalho described Johnson as a “guiding light” during the production of the live-action remake: “He’s so lovely.”

She added that the Black Adam (2022) star brings more than just a smiley personality to the set.

“He smells great,” Cravalho said. “All around, wonderful guy.”

“There’s, like, a faint sense of vanilla,” she continued. “I don’t want to get into the undertones of what must be his cologne, but he’s always glistening. … He’s a great costar. I have no complaints.

Cravalho and Johnson star in Moana 2, which premieres on November 27, 2024. This Thanksgiving, join Moana, Maui, Heihei, Pua, and more as they travel to the far seas of Oceania and answer the call of their ancestors.

Cravalho, 23, was only 16 when she starred in Moana. She cherished the opportunity to grow up with the franchise.

“I am turning 24 this year, and getting to come back to this character has been really lovely,” the actress explained. “I get to sing songs that are Disney-fied, but again, there’s also growth in a character and I think it’s so special that for the first time, we get to see a Disney Princess grow up.”

Moana 2 takes place three years after the events of the original Walt Disney Animation Studios film. Directed by David Derrick, Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film features original music by Mark Mancina, Opetaia Foa’i, Abigail Barlow, and Emily Bear. Lin-Manuel Miranda did not return to help compose the sequel.

What’s your favorite Dwayne Johnson film? Share it with us in the comments.