Dwayne Johnson Shares Emotional First Meeting With Jelly Roll After 10 Years Of Friendship

X/@TheRock

Just one extraordinary and raw moment given by Da Dwayne Jr., reminding us that gods are merely men! The Rock posted a video narrating the story of how Jelly Roll and his longtime friend and country artist met in person for the first time after nearly ten years of friendship. No less a story would leave you swimming in tears!

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The video immortalizes the long-awaited emotional backstage hug between Dwayne and Jelly Roll at American Idol–their very first meeting after years of standing by each other. The backstory is what Johnson describes, going through his “mental hellness” situation back in 2017. He was busy putting on a brave face but internally he was sinking fast; just when he thought all was lost, Jelly Roll’s song, “Only,” came shuffle on and slammed him for a full impact, so much in fact that Johnson had to reach out to the singer and thank him for the unintended lifeline. Thus began the relationship.

Also, very meaningful gift-giving. Johnson gifted Jelly Roll with an aged postcard of the Alamo Plaza Motel in South Nashville, where 15-year-old Johnson once stayed after his family was suddenly made to leave Hawaii. Now that remains a fond memory from back when he was crashing there with a stranger by the name Downtown Bruno, who is now one of Johnson’s closest friends. “The gift is insignificant to the world,” Johnson wrote, “but something I just knew would mean a lot to him.” Based on Jelly Roll’s reaction, he was obviously right.

A brotherly hug almost 10 years in the making 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼🤎🤍 @JellyRoll615

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. Many of you know the drill, you put on “the face”, show up… pic.twitter.com/eylhhKlWd1

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) July 1, 2025

The comment section was turning into a therapy session of its own. One user claimed that Jelly Roll songs helped his/her father through the tough times, while another poured out a poetic tribute about “two storms colliding to break the drought.” A cynical voice claimed Dwayne was paid to make this post (since apparently, vulnerability is the latest marketing ploy). But the majority’s response was gratitude- for the honesty, for the music, and for the reminder that, even the hardest of men have times when they need a song to carry them through.

The movie-script-level twist starts to get interesting with Johnson saying the very moment before meeting Jelly Roll, he was blasting in his truck Craig Morgan’s “Almost Home”–that very same artist whose handwritten lyrics Jelly Roll once framed, holding them as if they were written in holy scripture! “How’s THAT for the universe conspiring for us,” wrote Johnson. Try explaining THAT coincidence without chills.

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The whole thing teaches the inspiring lesson that friendships are sometimes forged in the most peculiar ways, and sometimes the tiniest things-a song, a postcard, a long-overdue hug-carry the heaviest weight. Also, if you can’t watch the ascent of Jelly Roll from underground rapper to country superstar, you’re missing out on one of the greatest underdog stories in music. This dude has been grinding all the way, and now he’s got The Rock crying over his lyrics. Great for a Tuesday, I say.