‘This feels right’: Sāmoan stars collide as The Rock meets Uce Gang

“Now, this feels right.”

Social media star Simeon Fiapule, better known as Uce Gang, said that in an unexpected video featuring superstar Dwayne Johnson.

The video starts in the style of “When the music video doesn’t match”, a popular series in Uce Gang’s content, where he and his crew lipsynced the song, “Can I Get a Cheehoo” from the box office record-breaking Disney film Moana 2.

While the boys are clearly vibing to the track in an underground carpark, Uce Gang interrupts them saying, “Hold up, this doesn’t feel right” before walking out.

In a surprising twist, he ditches his crew to go to Hawai’i and meet the iconic Hollywood hero.

The Sāmoan brothers then finish the song from the lyric, “Who are ya gonna be, ya gonna make some history”.

Indeed, this is a historic collaboration. The video, posted on Thursday, has already 45,000 plus likes on Instagram and over 330,000 views on TikTok.

The Rock commented on the video, offering words of encouragement for Uce telling him to “keep kicking ass”.

“USO! Appreciate U and the boys coming over to Hawaii,” Johnson wrote.

“Keep spreading the fun and joy and keep kickin ass. Love & respect.”

A dream come true

Content creator and NiuFM host Regan Foa’i frequently collaborates with Uce Gang, and they caught up following the trip to Hawai’i.

Uce Gang said the experience was like visiting his second home with “awesome” connections to Kānaka Maoli.

But a highlight of the trip was undeniably meeting Dwayne Johnson.

Uce Gang said it was “surreal” and the realisation of his dream collaboration.

“I couldn’t believe that I was actually meeting him. I saw it visually in my mind for ages.

“To actually do it, bro, it was surreal.”

Uce has mentioned in previous interviews that The Rock is the inspiration for his weight-loss journey.

He even messaged him in 2022, saying he hoped to meet one day.

The two bonded over shared experiences of living in Tāmaki Makaurau, with The Rock sharing stories about playing rugby in Grey Lynn.

Although they only spent about 10 minutes together, Uce found the experience humbling and unforgettable.

“Just to get to know him and to know that he’s down to earth and humble. It’s true what they say, ‘meet your heroes’.”

As a strong believer in manifesting his dreams, Uce Gang’s next aspiration is to appear in a Hollywood movie or television show.