Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has opened up about the profound effect Jelly Roll’s music had on him during a difficult period in his life. Appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show on November 15, Johnson revealed that the country artist’s 2017 song "Only" was a source of emotional support during one of his battles with depression.
The actor, who has been vocal about his mental health struggles in the past, explained that he was going through a challenging time, balancing the stress of family life and work, while expecting his second child and dealing with long-distance parenting. The lyrics of Jelly Roll’s track, in particular, resonated deeply with him, especially the line: "What if the darkness inside of me has finally taken my soul..."
Johnson shared that the song helped him navigate through the rough patch, calling it a turning point in his emotional recovery. He later reached out to Jelly Roll to express his gratitude for the song's impact on him, and the two formed a close friendship. Johnson described the country singer as "my boy" and expressed his love and admiration for him.
In return, Jelly Roll acknowledged the connection, recalling how Johnson became a fan of his music before he achieved mainstream success. "If one of the greatest personalities of this generation, one of the greatest actors, sees something in this music, maybe I’m onto something," Jelly Roll reflected.
Earlier this year, Johnson expressed his desire to shift towards more dramatic roles, moving away from the action blockbusters that made him a household name.
Photo: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
