The Rock Sings to 3-Year-Old Disney’s ‘Moana’ Fan Fighting Cancer in Touching Video Message

Getty Images | Alberto E. Rodriguez

After learning that a young fan of the Disney movie “Moana” was battling leukemia, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson sent a video message of love and support to the stoic tot through Instagram.

Father of three Johnson, 47, who voices the character Maui in the cartoon movie, was touched by the story of young Hyrum Harris’s struggle.

Johnson attends the Disney premiere of "Moana" in Hollywood, California, on Nov. 14, 2016. ©Getty Images | LILLY LAWRENCE/AFP

“This message is for a little boy out there, he’s 3 years old, and this little boy is one of the coolest little boys around,” Johnson says in his video for Hyrum.

“[H]e’s certainly one of the strongest because he is a fighter,” Johnson continues. “Right now, this little boy is in the fight of his life.”

According to the family’s GoFundMe page, Hyrum, who also has Down syndrome, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on Oct. 20, 2019. “We always knew there was a chance we would be here,” Hyrum’s mother, April Harris, writes. “[K]ids with Down syndrome have a 30 percent chance of developing this type of cancer.”

Hyrum is the youngest of the Woodstock, Georgia-based family’s seven children. The toddler’s prognosis entails three years of chemotherapy; the family is currently living in the hospital.

“We have to figure out whether or not we’re going to let it beat us up,” April told CBS 46, “or whether or not we’re going to find the tiniest bit of joy within our day and move forward with that because that’s what’s going to carry us through.”

The moment of joy certainly reached the Harris family on Nov. 18, 2019, when the movie star posted his uplifting video message online alongside the caption: “This request came across my desk and punched me in the gut a bit.”

“Hello Hyrum, I hope this message gets to you,” Johnson continues in his sweet video for the 3-year-old boy. “You don’t know me, my name is Dwayne Johnson, I also go by The Rock and you’re probably thinking, ‘Of course you go by the name of The Rock because you have a head the size of a rock!’”

“I heard you love a movie called ‘Moana,’ which is crazy because I love that movie too,” Johnson’s message continues. “I also heard you watch ‘Moana’ almost 10 times a day because the character you love, Maui, gives you strength.”

Johnson proceeds to sing a few energetic bars from his character Maui’s song, “You’re Welcome,” for Hyrum.

“There’s no-one like Maui. He’s the coolest thing,” Johnson says, adding, “I’m a big fan of Maui, too, and I’m a big fan of yours. Thanks for inspiring everyone around you, including myself. Stay strong, Hyrum.” To date, Johnson’s video has 5.4 million views.

Johnson’s video also made it back to Hyrum’s parents, April and Rich, who were overwhelmed by the celebrity’s kind words. “This has been such a moving experience for our family,” April told People. “[Johnson’s] response was beautiful.”

“When the reference of a head being compared to the size of a rock [came], Hyrum giggled,” she added. “When he began to sing, Hyrum’s eyes got very wide [...] It was touching. Hyrum’s smile is infectious [and] healing to those that serve him and love him.”

April got in touch with Johnson directly to thank him for his kind message to her son. The 3-year-old with the infectious smile, despite the struggle that lies ahead, can now count The Rock among his champions.

“‘I Strong,’” April says; “those are the words we are teaching Hyrum to tell himself daily.”