Washington DC [US], July 2: Actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has opened up about the powerful impact singer and rapper Jelly Roll’s music had on his mental health during a challenging time in his life. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Johnson shared how Jelly Roll’s 2017 track “Only” helped him navigate emotional stress while filming.
In a video posted to Instagram, Johnson is seen embracing Jelly Roll warmly, reflecting a bond nearly a decade in the making. Their connection, rooted in shared experiences and Nashville roots, began when Johnson reached out to Jelly Roll after being moved by the lyrics of “Only”.
“A brotherly hug almost 10 years in the making,” Johnson wrote. “Several years ago (roughly 2017), I was going through a very hard thing at the time. I was struggling. My mental wellness turned into my mental hellness.”
He admitted that he masked his struggles behind a smile, a habit he had grown used to. But one day, the song “Only”came on randomly and hit him deeply.
The lyrics, “What if the darkness inside of me has finally taken my soul?… Lord, I’m believing eventually see the light,” resonated with the actor and compelled him to contact the artist. “The words moved me so much that I reached out to Jelly,” Johnson shared. “I just called to say thank you, brother. Our bond was born.”
When the two finally met in person, Johnson gifted Jelly Roll an old postcard from Alamo Plaza Motel in South Nashville — a meaningful location from his past. At age 15, after being evicted from his home in Hawaii, Johnson briefly lived at the motel with a stranger named Downtown Bruno — who later became one of his closest friends.
“This gift is insignificant to the world but something I knew would mean a lot to him,” Johnson said.
Jelly Roll was clearly touched by the gesture, calling it “real old-school Nashville history” in the video. Johnson also praised Downtown Bruno and likened his bond with Jelly Roll to the enduring friendship he shares with Bruno.
“Every once in a while, we all get sliced up by life, but it’s amazing to see what kind of blessings and people God and the universe will put in our lives to help us heal,” he wrote.
Johnson also gave a shout-out to country singer Craig Morgan, whose music he was listening to on the way to meet Jelly Roll — a moment he called “surreal.”
Jelly Roll is currently wrapping up the Big Ass Stadium Tour with Post Malone, while Dwayne Johnson’s upcoming film The Smashing Machine is set to release in October.