Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has recently garnered attention with his light-hearted response to an influencer’s viral TikTok video regarding his men’s personal care brand, Papatui. The amusing exchange took place shortly after Katy Napier, who operates under the social media handle @happyyellowco, posted a humorous take on Johnson’s venture into the shampoo and conditioner market, despite his well-known baldness.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Dwayne-Johnson-060526-6610a6ae169b4844a57b6969c12721bd.jpg)
In her TikTok clip, originally shared on June 2, Napier amusingly remarked that viewers should not abandon their aspirations, pointing out that “The Rock is selling shampoo and conditioner, and he’s bald.” The video quickly gained traction, amassing over five million likes and resonating with many who appreciated her comedic perspective.
Following the video’s success, Johnson took to social media on June 5 to share his thoughts. Appearing in character as Maui from the live-action adaptation of Moana, he stitched Napier’s video, smiling broadly at the camera. He captioned his response with appreciation for her humour, stating, “Ok this made me belly laugh.. HARD 😂😂😂 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 🤜🏾🤛🏻”. Johnson went on to make a playful reference to his character, suggesting that even a demigod like Maui requires a good shampoo and conditioner for his ‘radiant and ravishing hair’.
Additionally, he informed Napier that a little surprise was on its way to her, adding to the light-hearted nature of the exchange. Johnson’s playful response demonstrates a connection between him and his audience, while also promoting his product line.
Papatui, which focuses on men’s grooming essentials, officially launched in Target stores in 2024. Johnson spoke candidly in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE about the inspiration behind creating the brand. He noted that discussions about skincare among men often took place in hushed tones or behind closed doors, highlighting a societal stigma that he aimed to challenge.
The actor and former wrestler mentioned, “I found over the years that men can engage openly about numerous topics, including fitness and trucks, but when it comes to skincare, I would see them shy away.” He expressed a desire to break these barriers, promoting open dialogue about grooming practices.
Johnson aims to normalise skincare conversations for men, stating, “So many times I would say, ‘Dude, why are we whispering [about skincare]?’ It’s okay. We should be able to have this open conversation.” Through Papatui, he hopes to foster a culture of self-care and grooming that is openly discussed among men.
As a public figure who has been dubbed PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2016, Johnson’s endorsement of a men’s grooming line holds significant weight. His influence can help shift perceptions and encourage men to engage more openly with their skincare and personal care routines.
The exchange between Johnson and Napier not only showcases the actor’s playful personality but also underscores his commitment to changing the narrative surrounding men’s grooming. With the response to Napier’s video, Johnson has further solidified his standing as a relatable figure, using humour to highlight important discussions within the realm of self-care.
As the conversation around men’s grooming continues to evolve, figures like Dwayne Johnson are at the forefront, making significant strides in encouraging men to embrace and talk about self-care openly, all while keeping the dialogue fun and engaging.