Trevor Noah and Dwayne Johnson
“Adele, meet The Rock. The Rock, meet Adele!”
With those words at the 2023 Grammy Awards, host Trevor Noah made one of Adele’s dreams come true. She had long said she was a huge fan of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Noah brought them together for a hug in front of the whole room. Johnson later presented Adele with the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance.
Trevor Noah and Dwayne Johnson come from very different backgrounds. One grew up under apartheid in South Africa and became one of the world’s best-known comedians. The other went from college football to wrestling rings to the top of Hollywood’s box office. Both are known for charm, humor, and huge global fan bases.
This article covers their famous Grammy moment, their backgrounds, career highlights, and where they are in 2026.
Quick Facts
| Trevor Noah | Dwayne Johnson | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Trevor Noah | Dwayne Douglas Johnson |
| Born | February 20, 1984 | May 2, 1972 |
| Birthplace | Johannesburg, South Africa | Hayward, California, USA |
| Education | Sandringham High School | University of Miami (B.A.) |
| Known for | The Daily Show, Grammys host, Born a Crime | WWE, Fast & Furious, Moana |
| Nickname | None widely used | The Rock |
| Company | None widely known | Seven Bucks Productions |
The 2023 Grammys: Trevor Noah and Dwayne Johnson
At the February 2023 Grammy Awards, Noah opened the show by walking through the crowd. When he reached Adele’s table, he reminded everyone how much she admired Johnson. Then he made the introduction. Adele beamed, Johnson gave her a hug, and the clip went viral.
Later in the night, Johnson returned to present Adele with the award for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Easy On Me.” The moment became one of the highlights of Noah’s run as Grammys host.
Trevor Noah: Early Life and Education
Trevor Noah was born on February 20, 1984, in Johannesburg, South Africa. His mother is Black South African, and his father is Swiss. At the time, relationships between people of different races were illegal under apartheid. Noah later titled his memoir Born a Crime because his very existence broke the law.
He attended Sandringham High School in Johannesburg. He didn’t go to college. Instead, he started performing comedy in his early 20s.
Trevor Noah: Career Timeline
- 2002: Made his TV debut in a South African soap opera.
- 2000s: Became one of South Africa’s top stand-up comedians and TV hosts.
- 2012: Made his US late-night debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
- 2014: Joined The Daily Show as a contributor.
- 2015: Took over from Jon Stewart as host of The Daily Show.
- 2016: Published Born a Crime, which became a bestseller.
- 2021: Hosted the Grammy Awards for the first time.
- 2022: Left The Daily Show in December to focus on touring and other projects.
- 2026: Hosted the Grammys for a sixth and final time.
Dwayne Johnson: Early Life and Education
Dwayne Johnson was born on May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California. He comes from a wrestling family. His father, Rocky Johnson, and his grandfather, Peter Maivia, were both pro wrestlers. He moved often as a kid, living in Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and other places.
Johnson earned a football scholarship to the University of Miami, where he was part of the 1991 national championship team. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and physiology.
Dwayne Johnson: Career Timeline
- 1995: Played briefly in the Canadian Football League before being cut.
- 1996: Debuted in the WWF, now WWE, as Rocky Maivia, later becoming “The Rock.”
- 2001: Made his big-screen leap in The Mummy Returns, followed by The Scorpion King in 2002.
- 2011: Joined the Fast & Furious franchise in Fast Five.
- 2016: Voiced Maui in Disney’s Moana.
- 2017: Starred in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, a global hit.
- 2020: Co-purchased the XFL football league.
- 2021: Starred in Netflix’s Red Notice, one of the platform’s most-watched films.
- 2025: Earned critical praise and a Golden Globe nomination for The Smashing Machine, playing MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
- 2026: Returned as Maui in Disney’s live-action Moana, released July 10.
How Their Careers Compare
| Category | Trevor Noah | Dwayne Johnson |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Comedy, TV hosting, writing | Film, wrestling, business |
| Breakout | The Daily Show (2015) | WWE, then The Mummy Returns |
| Big hosting gig | Grammys, six times | WWE events, Saturday Night Live |
| Book | Born a Crime | None major |
| Business | Live touring, podcasts | Seven Bucks, ZOA Energy, Teremana Tequila |
| Signature style | Smart, observational humor | Charismatic, larger-than-life |
What They Have in Common
Trevor Noah and Dwayne Johnson share more than a viral moment:
- Global appeal: Both have fans on every continent.
- Multicultural roots: Noah is South African with Swiss heritage. Johnson has Black Nova Scotian and Samoan heritage.
- Humor: Noah is a comedian, and Johnson is famous for his comic timing on screen and on social media.
- Reinvention: Noah moved from South African TV to US late-night. Johnson moved from football to wrestling to film.
- Hosting skills: Both have hosted major live events.
Why the Grammy Moment Worked
The Adele introduction was a perfect example of Noah’s hosting style. He moved through the room, chatted with stars, and created moments that felt warm and spontaneous. Johnson played along with good humor, and Adele’s genuine joy made the moment unforgettable. It showed how Trevor Noah and Dwayne Johnson both know how to connect with an audience.
Where Are They Now?
Trevor Noah wrapped up his sixth and final turn as Grammys host in 2026. He continues to tour as a stand-up comedian and hosts a podcast, What Now? with Trevor Noah.
Dwayne Johnson had a busy stretch, from his dramatic turn in The Smashing Machine to his return as Maui in the live-action Moana in July 2026. He has said that missing an Oscar nomination for The Smashing Machine “lit a fire” in him to keep pushing as an actor.
Lessons From Their Careers
- Turn your story into strength. Noah turned a childhood under apartheid into a bestselling memoir.
- Bounce back from setbacks. Johnson was cut from the CFL before finding success in wrestling.
- Keep growing. Both have kept taking on new challenges, from books and podcasts to dramatic roles.
- Stay connected with fans. Both are known for warmth and approachability.
Books, Podcasts, and Brands
Beyond their main careers, Trevor Noah and Dwayne Johnson have both built side businesses and projects.
Trevor Noah followed Born a Crime with a young readers’ edition and, in 2024, a children’s book called Into the Uncut Grass. His podcast, What Now?, features long conversations with guests from many fields. He also tours the world with his stand-up shows.
Dwayne Johnson co-founded Seven Bucks Productions with Dany Garcia, launched Teremana Tequila and ZOA Energy drinks, and partners with Under Armour on the Project Rock line of shoes and clothing. His social media following is among the largest of any actor in the world.
These ventures show how Trevor Noah and Dwayne Johnson have turned fame into lasting businesses.
Where to Start
New to either star? For Trevor Noah, read Born a Crime and watch his stand-up specials on Netflix. For Dwayne Johnson, start with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle for comedy, Moana for family fun, and The Smashing Machine for his most serious acting work.
Final Thoughts
Trevor Noah and Dwayne Johnson come from opposite sides of the world, but both rose to the top through talent, hard work, and personality. Their brief Grammy moment with Adele captured what makes them so popular: humor, warmth, and a sense of fun. Whether you know Noah from The Daily Show or Johnson from the wrestling ring and movie screens, comparing Trevor Noah and Dwayne Johnson shows two very different, very inspiring paths to fame.
Key Takeaways
- Trevor Noah was born February 20, 1984, in Johannesburg. Dwayne Johnson was born May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California.
- At the 2023 Grammys, Noah introduced Adele to Johnson, saying, “Adele, meet The Rock.” Johnson later presented her with the Best Pop Solo Performance award.
- Noah hosted The Daily Show from 2015 to 2022, wrote the memoir Born a Crime, and hosted the Grammys six times, the last in 2026.
- Johnson played football at the University of Miami, became a WWE star as The Rock, and built a film career with Fast & Furious, Jumanji, and Moana.
- Johnson earned a Golden Globe nomination for The Smashing Machine in 2025 and returned as Maui in the live-action Moana on July 10, 2026.
- Both share global appeal, multicultural roots, humor, and a talent for reinvention.
