The three Rocks of 'Young Rock' reunite to talk fanny packs, getting shredded, and ‘staches

In the new NBC sitcom Young Rock, a future Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who in this alternate reality is running for president, looks back on his life in a series of interviews with actur-turned-journalist Randall Park. Playing his younger selves is Adrian Groulx (The Rock at 10), Bradley Constant (The Rock at 15), and Uli Latukefu (The Rock from 18-20).

These three young Rocks recently spoke with Yahoo Entertainment about playing the wrestler-turned-actor-turned-maybe-president.

"I saw it right away that he just adored his dad," said Groulx of his character's love for his dad, wrestler Rocky Johnson.

Constant plays a slightly awkward high school Rock, complete with a feathery thin mustache. "So my last audition, I didn't have the 'stache yet. They had to glue it on for that and it started flapping off," he said. "So I grew my actual 'stache before we started shooting."

Watch more from the stars of Young Rock in the video interview above.

Video Transcript

- My dad is going to need all fan photos taken on his right side. That's his good side.

ADRIAN GROULK: I saw right away that he just adored his dad.

- Now that I look rich, I finally get the attention from girls.

- All the baggy pants and the crazy colors-- and everything has to be tucked in.

- Twin Johnson, peace to Bethlehem, also known as Hit-zilla, Edward Blitzerhands, and the chairman of Goldman-Sacks.

ULI LATUKEFU: At that stage. he wanted to make the NFL, which obviously didn't happen. But I think he's done pretty well for himself.

ETHAN ALTER: We're so glad you guys are all together and joining us today. It's awesome to have all three of you together. How often do you get a chance to see each other?

ULI LATUKEFU: Because we shot in different timelines, we didn't get to see much of each other on set, but away from set, we saw each other all the time.

BRADLEY CONSTANT: And Adrian's mom cooks some good food.

ADRIAN GROULK: Bradley makes good pie.

BRADLEY CONSTANT: Yes, I do, actually. I can make a better one next time.

ETHAN ALTER: Adrian, starting with you-- I've seen in interviews that you've talked about how you were really inspired by the Rock's relationship with his dad. That's something that was really personal for you, because you-- your dad is your own super hero.

ADRIAN GROULK: We do so much, and we're so close. And even when I went away for Australia with my mom, every day I would talk to him, because I missed him so much. And I'm just-- I'm so attached to him.

ETHAN ALTER: Did Dwayne tell you that was his relationship with his dad too? Was he really attached to him growing up?

ADRIAN GROULK: When I saw in the script it was easy for me to see it because of that similarity I have with him.

ETHAN ALTER: Bradley, for you, you get to play him at high school age. I understand they had to give you a fake mustache, right? That's not-- that's not a mustache.

BRADLEY CONSTANT: So in my last audition, I didn't have the 'stache yet, and they had to glue it on for that. And it started flapping off so I know that would not have worked if we had to shoot with it. So I grew my actual 'stache before we started shooting, because when I grow facial hair, it's not the way it should be. It's kind of all over the place. And it was terrible. Then once we started shooting, we trimmed it down to the smooth 15-year-old Dwayne look.

ETHAN ALTER: Uli, for you, you get to play the college version. What about his college days coincided with your own? What are some of the similarities you experienced in playing out those days?

ULI LATUKEFU: I think the similarities are probably just really wanting to do something great, like really wanting to make something of my life. And I think that's definitely something that Dwayne had picked up quite early on. You know, even from Adrian's age, he was surrounded by these stars. And he was kind of like just made for the spotlight. So for me, college Dwayne was really just about kind of tapping into really wanting to make something happen for myself.

ETHAN ALTER: In the episodes coming back on March 16, we get to see you rocking the fanny pack, Uli. You get that look, that classic look. What was it like to create that experience?

ULI LATUKEFU: It's probably one of the most iconic photos going around. So I was pretty nervous actually to make sure everything was on point and making sure, you know, the hair was right and all that kind of thing. But I think the most fun thing about it is we get some context to the photo, which is going to be really, really enjoyable for audiences.

ETHAN ALTER: Bradley and Uli both have to get into shape to play the Rock at their later ages. Are you-- do you ever think about getting in the gym yourself? Like do you do you do you worry about having to pump up?

ADRIAN GROULK: At first, when I got the role, I'm like, dad, what am I going to do? I don't look like Dwayne Johnson now! But after knowing that I was OK-- I didn't have to work out, just growing the 'fro-- it was good. But I do want to get shredded when I'm older,

ULI LATUKEFU: You will.

BRADLEY CONSTANT: Yes, atta boy. It's really cool also, because I never worked out before I booked this role. I remember one of my first workouts I had last year after I booked it, I dropped like a 30-pound dumbbell my head trying to do presses. You know, so but as we were going through the process, and we were working out in Australia a little bit more, then I could lift more. So that confidence kind of, you know, it transcended to the character and for me. And it's something that I absolutely love to do every day now.

ETHAN ALTER: None of you have had the chance to meet Dwayne in person, right? It's all been on Zoom. When you do get the chance-- once the pandemic is over and things-- what do you most want to say to him? Or what do you most hope to do with him?

ULI LATUKEFU: Maybe train, that would be pretty cool.

BRADLEY CONSTANT: I want to have a waffle eating contest with this man. I-- look, I've been having-- I'm standing by this. I've been having waffle Saturdays since I was in sixth grade, OK? Now, he's a lot older than me. He's probably eaten waffles longer than me, but still! I am king of waffles, and I want to challenge him to a waffle-off. Maybe all three of us can do it one day.

ADRIAN GROULK: Saying something I want to do with him is have probably a five-minute hug. Yeah, trying not to crush every bone I have.