- Home
- NG Hindi
- India
- World
- Culture
- Politics
- Lifestyle
- Entertainment
- Economy
- Sports
- Sp. Coverage
- Misc.
- NewsGram Exclusive
- Jobs / Internships
Dwayne Johnson shed nearly 60 pounds to accurately portray MMA legend Mark Kerr in the upcoming biopic ‘The Smashing Machine’.
Beyond the role, Johnson revealed his long struggle with gut health, prompting him to shift from high-calorie bulking diets to a cleaner, nutrient-focused lifestyle centered on balance, recovery, and functional fitness.
His leaner look at the 2025 Venice Film Festival sparked mixed reactions online, while some fans found it inspiring, others joked about ‘The Rock’ turning into ‘The Pebble’ and speculated about his health.
Actors are often seen changing their looks and body for roles. Some gain weight while others lose it to fit in the character they are portraying. They follow strict diets and exercise routines to get the desired result, each plan customized for the individual. Dwayne Johnson has taken over the internet with his weight loss transformation. The actor who is popularly known as ‘the Rock’ has reportedly lost 60 pounds. His once heavy muscular physique has now transformed into a leaner frame.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has always been larger than life, both on-screen and off-screen. The wrestler-turned-actor shocked fans when he appeared at the 2025 Venice Film Festival looking leaner than ever. The actor turned his powerhouse physique with a new focus on discipline, health and self-discovery.
The primary reason behind The Rock’s drastic change has been reported to be for his upcoming role in the movie ‘The Smashing machine’. Johnson plays the role of the legendary MMA Fighter Mark Kerr in the biopic. He slimed down and reshaped his body to portray the character more accurately.
This was just one part of the story. The actor revealed in a candid interview that he was long thinking of this and finally got a chance to do so through this role. He was struggling with gut-related health issue which was an eye-opener for him. He realised that true fitness goes beyond muscles and gym. It is important to know how one should live rather than just knowing how much to lift. He emphasized on chasing better data rather than the noises, listening to one’s body, monitoring nutrition and taking specialist’s advice helped him a great deal.
It was quite a shift for the former wrestler as his whole brand was built around health and size. He focused mainly on ultra-high-calorie bulking diets for his muscular body which have now been replaced by a more clean and nutrient-driven plan. The goal is to direct the focus toward digestive health, recovery and balancing. He is continuing with his intense training but now has shifted towards more functional workouts that stresses on endurance, mobility, and cardiovascular health instead of just bulking.
The transformation got a mixed reaction from fans over the internet. Some called it inspirational while others expressed concern about the star’s health. Some even joked about him going from ‘The Rock’ to ‘The Pebble’. Some bold remarks like ‘finally off from steroids’ have also been making rounds on the internet. Fans have made all kinds of speculations from his lifestyle changes to health issues and many more.
For the actor, the weight loss was a personal milestone that he chose for a healthier life. He desired to stand tall as a role model for his kids. He has redefined strength not just on a personal level but to all his fans who look up to him. The actor showed us that health is a life long pursuit that demands flexibility and change over time. [Rh/SY]
