Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has responded to a Christchurch boy who last week called on the Hollywood actor asking for help raising awareness about a domestic violence campaign.
Five-year-old Angelou Brown sent a message in a video to The Rock to help end family violence.
Angelou has taken over telling his nana's story - whose experience of domestic violence sparked an anti-abuse movement - now that she only has months left to live.
"Dear Mr Rock, my name is Angelou Brown and I am 5 years old. I live in Christchurch, New Zealand," the letter says.
"My dad is Samoan so I'm pretty sure you're his cousin. And since you're part of the aiga [family], I thought I'd send you a gift. It's a T-shirt.
"Not just any T-shirt. This T-shirt my dad and my uncles wear to encourage other men to treat girls well."
The shirt is emblazoned with "She Is Not Your Rehab", an antiviolence message for men to seek help for their problems before taking them out on others.
The 'she' who was the inspiration for the slogan is Angelou's nana who is battling lung cancer.
"My nana had a sad life when they were growing up, with lots of fights at home.
"It was sad for my dad to watch her get hurt a lot. And she had to go away lots to many refuges.
"My dad says it's his mission to help other men to heal so their wives don't have sad lives like nana did."
The Rock responded on Monday saying he got "a bit emotional" watching Angelou speak to him.
"Angelou, it's Uncle Rock. Yes, I'm your 'uncle' because of course, all us Samoans are related," he wrote on Instagram.
"I'm very proud of you, son. You don't understand yet, because you're too young but just know how courageous and inspiring you are to myself and our aiga, but now - to the world."
He said he admires Angelou's father, Matt Brown, for creating She Is Not Your Rehab and for ensuring his mother's story won't be forgotten.
"The way you sit in your nana's arms as she speaks to you is the exact same way I would sit in my grandma's arms when I was your age, while saying her prayers in Samoan to God, and then she'd talk to me afterwards just like she talks to you," The Rock said.
"She would tell me the exact same things your nana is telling you.
"You stay strong, Angelou and keep listening to your nana and your parents. One day you will become the leader of your aiga and also a leader the world will admire."
He ended his post by saying he's arranging with his staff to connect with Angelou's family.
Brown told Newshub last week he wants men to understand there is pride in healing.
"We came up with the idea to write to the most influential Polynesian man on the planet because we thought if he stood by the kaupapa of wearing the T-shirt or just believing in this kaupapa it would encourage other men to own their trauma and their pain."
Since they released the video of Angelou's letter on Wednesday, it's been viewed over 1.1 million times on Instagram alone.
Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
