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Dwayne Johnson Defends Skirt at Met Gala with Polynesian Pride

Dwayne Johnson wore a black mohair tailcoat and pleated skirt to the Met Gala, citing Polynesian culture where masculine men wear lavalavas. He explained that he felt great in the outfit, which featured over 350 meters of hand-pleated silk ribbons. Johnson had previously discussed real masculinity at CinemaCon, emphasizing empowering women. The event was co-chaired by Beyonce, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour.

Key Points: Dwayne Johnson on Met Gala Skirt: Polynesian Culture

  • Johnson wore a black mohair tailcoat with a matching pleated skirt
  • He cited Polynesian culture as inspiration for the look
  • He previously spoke about masculinity empowering women at CinemaCon
  • Beyonce, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams co-chaired the event
2 min read

Dwayne Johnson on wearing skirt to Met Gala: Most masculine men wear skirts in Polynesian culture

Dwayne Johnson wore a pleated skirt to the Met Gala, explaining it honors Polynesian culture where masculine men wear lavalavas.

"In our culture, Polynesian culture, we rock lavalavas, we rock skirts. The most masculine men wear lavalavas and skirts. - Dwayne Johnson"

Los Angeles, May 5

Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson took over the limelight after sporting at a skirt at the iconic MET Gala 2026 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Johnson sported a black mohair tailcoat and a bow tie paired with a matching pleated skirt as he walked down the red carpet hand-in-hand with his wife, Lauren Hashian at the gala, which had the theme "Costume Art" this year.

Asked about the look, Johnson said it was in part inspired by Polynesian culture, in which the "most masculine men" wear skirts, reports variety.com.

The tailcoat featured over 350 meters of hand-pleated silk ribbons in a "skeletal composition," according to the designer.

"I feel great!" Johnson said when asked about how it feels to wear a skirt.

He added: "First, (Thom Browne's team) sent the illustrations over and (asked), 'Hey, is Deej 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."

This isn't the first time Johnson has spoken out about masculinity. At CinemaCon 2026, while promoting Disney's live-action "Moana," he said "real masculinity" for men of all ages means empowering the women in their lives.

"The hero of our story is not a princess. She's a warrior," Johnson told a CinemaCon crowd, adding that his role as Maui is to guide and empower the titular heroine, reports variety.com.

"All men of all ages, we should empower and support and champion all women. That's what real masculinity looks like."

Beyonce is co-chairing this year's event along with Nicole Kidman, Venue Williams and Anna Wintour.

Anthony Vaccarello and Zoe Kravitz are heading the gala host committee, which also includes Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Alex Consani, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Paloma Elsesser, Lisa, newly installed head of editorial content of Vogue US Chloe Malle, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Lauren Wasser, Anna Weyant, A'ja Wilson and Yseult.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
I appreciate that he's proud of his Polynesian roots. But honestly? His comments about "empowering women" feel a bit performative when you consider how many women in Hollywood have spoken about harassment and inequality. The Rock could do more than just talk at galas. Still, the skirt looks 🔥
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Vikram M
As a Tamil man who wears a veshti (lungi) at home, this resonates. Western fashion is finally catching up to what many cultures have known for centuries — clothes don't define masculinity, character does. The Rock wearing a skirt with such confidence is a great message for boys growing up confused about toxic masculinity.
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Sarah B
Love the cultural appreciation! But I wish he'd also acknowledged the actual Polynesian communities and their struggles today — not just use their clothing as a fashion statement. Still, it's a step forward for gender norms worldwide. And he looks amazing in that tailored skirt! 😍
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Rohit P
Honestly? Who cares what he wore. But what I find interesting is how quickly people in India would judge a man in a skirt while happily watching south Indian movies where heroes wear lungis in action scenes. Double standards much? Good on The Rock for challenging that. 🎬

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