Actor Dwayne Johnson has formed a meaningful bond with singer and rapper Jelly Roll, crediting his music—especially the song "Only"—with helping him navigate a difficult period in his life, according to People. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Johnson shared a video of himself warmly embracing Jelly Roll and enjoying a candid conversation. He reflected on their connection, which developed over the years, rooted in both Jelly’s music and their shared ties to Nashville.

"A brotherly hug almost 10 years in the making @jellyroll615," Johnson captioned the post. He recalled going through a rough patch around 2017, saying, “I was struggling. My mental wellness had spiraled into what I call mental hellness.” Despite the struggle, he continued working, masking the pain with a smile. Then, during one of those tough mornings, the song "Only" by Jelly Roll came on randomly. The lyrics hit him hard, deeply resonating with what he was feeling at the time.

The poignant lyrics—“What if the darkness inside of me has finally taken my soul?... Lord, I'm believing eventually see the light”—struck a chord with Johnson. He felt compelled to reach out to Jelly Roll, telling him, “You don’t know me and I don’t know you, but your song is helping me through something.” That message marked the beginning of their friendship. When the two finally met in person, Johnson gifted Jelly a small but meaningful token—a vintage postcard of the Alamo Plaza motel in South Nashville. While modest, it held deep personal value. Johnson revealed that after being evicted from his home in Hawaii at age 15, he relocated to Nashville and briefly lived in that very motel with a stranger.

That stranger turned out to be Downtown Bruno, who later became one of Johnson’s closest friends—much like Jelly Roll has now become. Reflecting on the serendipity of life and the people who come into it during dark times, Johnson said, “It’s incredible how life can cut you open, only to bless you with people who help you heal.”

He also gave a shout-out to country artist Craig Morgan, who Jelly Roll mentioned during their chat. Coincidentally, Johnson had been listening to Morgan’s music while driving to meet Jelly. The post concluded with Johnson expressing gratitude and admiration for the way things had come full circle. Meanwhile, Jelly Roll is wrapping up his Big Ass Stadium Tour with Post Malone, and Dwayne Johnson is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film The Smashing Machine in October.