We’ve all seen the videos. A 260-pound man mountain with veins the size of garden hoses sits perfectly still in a tiny pink chair. His face—the same face that’s anchored billion-dollar action franchises—is currently being smeared with glittery blue eyeshadow and questionable lipstick by two toddlers. This is basically the quintessential Dwayne Johnson and daughter experience that has taken over the internet for years.
But if you look past the viral Instagram "torture" sessions, there’s actually a lot more going on with the Johnson family dynamic than just "The Rock" getting a makeover. It’s a mix of a massive wrestling legacy, a very public shift in parenting styles, and a high-stakes career in the WWE that most people don’t realize is happening right now.
The Three Generations (and the Fourth One Rising)
Dwayne doesn't just have one daughter. He has three. And the age gap between the eldest and the younger two is wide enough that he’s essentially parenting in two different eras of his life.
Simone Johnson (now known as Ava in the WWE) was born in 2001. She’s his daughter with first wife and current business partner, Dany Garcia. Then you’ve got the "little tornadoes," Jasmine (born 2015) and Tiana (born 2018), with his wife Lauren Hashian.
Honestly, the way he talks about the difference between raising Simone and raising the younger girls is pretty revealing. He’s admitted in recent interviews that he was a "fairly strict" dad back in the day. He was still grinding, still building the "Rock" brand, and probably a bit more rigid. By the time Jasmine and Tia showed up, he’d mellowed out. He’s a guy who openly talks about being a "Girl Dad" now, but it took a while to get there.
Ava Raine: More Than Just a Famous Name
If you follow wrestling, you know Dwayne Johnson and daughter Simone are making history. She didn't just walk into a movie role; she went to the WWE Performance Center.
- She changed her name: She goes by Ava (formerly Ava Raine). Why? Because she wanted to avoid the "Rock's Daughter" tag as much as possible, even though the lineage is obvious.
- The GM Role: As of early 2026, she’s established herself as the General Manager of NXT. That’s a huge on-screen responsibility for someone her age.
- The Fourth Gen: She is officially the first-ever fourth-generation superstar in WWE history. We’re talking Peter Maivia, Rocky Johnson, The Rock, and now Ava. That is a lot of weight to carry on your shoulders.
People love to scream "nepotism" whenever a celebrity kid gets a job. But if you watch the NXT tapings, you see she's putting in the work. Dwayne has been very vocal about the fact that she never asked him to "call Nick Khan" or pull strings. She did the grueling training in Orlando just like everyone else.
The "Makeover" Philosophy
Why do we care so much about a guy getting his nails painted? It sounds trivial, but for a lot of men, seeing a symbol of "ultra-masculinity" like The Rock embrace the softness of parenting is a big deal.
He recently shared a story about having a massive Zoom meeting for The Smashing Machine or some other project, and having to join the call with remnants of marker on his forehead because Jasmine and Tiana decided he was their canvas that morning. He didn't scrub it off in a panic. He just rolled with it.
"Every man wants a son, but every man needs a daughter."
That’s a quote he repeats often. It’s about the "capacity to listen." He claims his daughters taught him to be selfless, which is a big admission for a guy who spent decades being the center of the universe in a wrestling ring or on a movie set.
What People Get Wrong About the Johnson Family
The biggest misconception is that it’s all perfect. Dwayne is open about the "complicated" relationship he had with his own father, the late Rocky Johnson. His dad was tough. He was a product of a different time in the wrestling business where showing "softness" was seen as a weakness.
Dwayne is actively trying to break that cycle. He’s mentioned that his goal is to be the dad who actually picks the kids up from soccer and takes them to school—things his own father couldn't always do because of the road.
Real-World Lessons from the "Girl Dad" Playbook
If you're looking for the "so what" in all of this, it's about the shift in how we view fatherhood. Dwayne Johnson and daughter moments aren't just PR stunts; they’re a blueprint for a specific kind of modern parenting.
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- Presence over Presents: He’s one of the richest men in Hollywood, but his most viral content is him sitting on the floor playing "dinosaur" or "tea party."
- Unconditional Support: Whether it’s Simone's relationship with fellow wrestler Tatyanna Dumas or Jasmine’s obsession with horseback riding, he’s the loudest cheerleader in the room.
- The "Lava Monster" Rule: He once posted about holding Tiana while she peed on the grass because she didn't want to step on "lava." Sometimes, you just have to support the kid's imagination, even if it results in ruined white sneakers.
Moving forward, the focus will likely stay on Ava’s rise in the WWE hierarchy. She’s already making major announcements regarding titles and brand shifts. It’s a fascinating pivot—while the world watches the "Big Boss" Dwayne Johnson return to the ring occasionally, his daughter is quietly running the show behind the scenes at NXT.
To really lean into the "Girl Dad" energy in your own life, try these specific shifts:
- Ditch the phone: He’s mentioned putting his phone in a different room during playtime so his kids know they have 100% of his focus.
- Support the "Blazing": Don't force your kids into your footsteps. If they want to follow, let them, but let them change the name and the path.
- Embrace the Glitter: If your kid wants to paint your face, let them. You’re only "The Rock" to the world; to them, you’re just a canvas.