Who Is The Rock's Daughter Simone - And Why Is She Getting Hate Online?
Simone Johnson's approach to dealing with critics can teach us all about the importance of tuning out negativity.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wears many hats. Since getting his start with the WWE back in 1996, he’s become a wrestling legend, an A-list movie star, a doting girl dad, and an all-around inspiration.
RELATED: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Rejects a Teen’s Prom Invite – What Happens Next Shocks Her
Johnson’s motivational quotes and approach to life have shown countless fans (us included) the importance of being true to yourself and pursuing your dreams without apology. The Jumanji star has always been a proponent of blazing your own path and we’re now learning that he’s instilled that very lesson in his eldest daughter, Simone Johnson.
So why is she receiving such tremendous hate online?
Who Is Simone Johnson?
In 2019, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson tied the knot with singer/songwriter Lauren Hashian with whom he has two daughters, Tia and Jasmine. Before that, however, he was married to Dany Garcia from 1997 to 2008. The pair, who are still business partners to this day, had one child together, daughter Simone Garcia, born on August 14, 2001.
Simone first stepped into the spotlight in 2018 when she signed with IMG Models and was chosen to be that year’s Golden Globe Ambassador. The following year, she graduated high school and, as her proud papa shared on Instagram, she was planning to attend NYU.
However, everything changed when she suffered a nasty injury just weeks before she was meant to start college. “I blew my knee out completely,” she told the Swerve City podcast. But that huge curveball turned out to be a blessing: “It sucked but in a way it made me rethink everything,” she shared.
RELATED: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Makes a Surprise Appearance at a High School Prom (Sort of)
In the end, she told her parents that she’d rather go to college in Orlando, Florida because that’s where she could also follow in her father’s footsteps. No, not acting — wrestling. Her parents were immediately on board and, in 2020, she became the youngest WWE signee everat the age of 18.
She has since begun training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando and, according to Talk Sport, she’s proven to be a “monster in the gym” and a “top recruit”. As Simone explained, the ability to continue her family legacy “means the world to me.” That’s because not only was her dad a 10-time world champion, but her grandfather, Rocky Johnson, and great-grandfather, Peter Maivia, are both in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Simone’s willingness to adapt and face life's harder moments head-on is a truly valuable lesson. After all, unforeseen circumstances are unavoidable, and it's important not to let them derail you from pursuing your dreams.
It's undoubtedly something she learned from watching her dad work through his own uncertainty in order to achieve his goals. As Johnson once admitted to Oprah, he felt shook up when he first decided to swap wrestling for acting full-time, but he also knew it was important to take that leap because it was the only way to fulfill his deepest aspirations.
The Rock’s Approach to Fatherhood
It's safe to say Simone Johnson has some of the most supportive parents around! Case in point: Shortly after she announced her WWE signing, Dwayne Johnson couldn’t help but gush about how proud he was of his little girl.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he said, “It blows my mind. First of all, what an honor that my daughter wants to follow in my footsteps, but more importantly [...] she actually wants to create and blaze her own path, which is just so important.” He also gave her props for “working her ass off” from the age of 16 to meet her goals and concluded, “I’m very, very proud of her.”
RELATED: Dwayne Johnson’s Most Inspirational Quotes about Success for When You Hit Rock Bottom
As the actor has repeatedly explained, he believes the most important thing you can do as a parent is to "just be there" for your kids and that's how he's raised his daughters. As he told People, he’s learned how important it is to listen and, when things get tough, he helps Simone and her younger sisters, “solve whatever the issue is, but with them compared to for them."
Indeed, as he shared on Oprah’s Master Class, when Simone was first born, he made her a promise: “I will always, always take care of you, for the rest of your life. You are safe.” He vowed to, “lead our life with love. Not success, not fame, not anything else but, ‘I’m always here for you. I love you.’” And that's exactly what he's done.
It’s this unconditional love and support that likely helped Simone be honest with herself and her parents about her career aspirations. It surely also helped her work through her first experience with the negative side of fame.
Why Is Simone Johnson Getting Hate Online?
Fame is a two-sided coin, and for all of the love celebrities can get from fans, they can be faced with just as much hate from critics. Simone Johnson got a taste of this first-hand when, in May 2022, she announced her wrestling name to the world.
The 20-year-old is taking her WWE training seriously and she's now one step closer to realizing her dream, as she's revealed that when she finally enters the ring, she’ll be known as… Ava Raine!
Many fans were all for it, but unfortunately, others scoffed at her choice. As Today noted, some Internet trolls took issue with Simone not paying tribute to her dad through her wrestling name, but she simply wasn’t having it.
RELATED: Dwayne Johnson Opens Up About The “Biggest Fight” He’d Ever Had With His Dad Right Before He Died
When one Twitter user suggested she should have chosen The Pebble as her moniker, she clapped back, writing, “I beg of you guys to find a new joke. Anything.” She then explained why it was so important to find her own persona because she wants to build a career in her own right. After underscoring the fact that, “a name doesn’t discredit any prior accomplishments from any family,” she wrote, “I could build my entire career around my father and people would still bash me anyway.”
Simone makes an incredibly valid point with that last statement. It doesn’t matter who you are or how successful you become, naysayers will always find a reason to criticize you. While this is something that people in the spotlight experience on another (very public) level, no one is immune to receiving criticism. It unfortunately happens way too often and, as Simone shows us, the best thing to do is shake off the negativity, ignore the haters, and just do you.
Whatever it is you’re passionate about, chase your dreams unapologetically and don’t allow anyone to tear you down or sow doubts in your head. Rather, allow your passion to push you through the obstacles. What’s more, don’t forget to turn to those who love and support you, whether they be family or friends, because they’ll always have your back.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.