Overview

• Johnson first reached out in 2017 after hearing Jelly Roll’s song “Only,” sparking a yearslong exchange of supportive messages.
• On June 30, backstage at American Idol, the two friends shared their inaugural in-person hug to cap Jelly Roll’s stint as the show’s first artist in residence.
• Johnson gifted a vintage Nashville motel postcard to Jelly Roll, inscribed with “Keep doin’ it brother. Proud of you!”.
• During their reunion, Jelly Roll revealed he has lost 200 pounds in his health journey with a goal to shed another 100.
• Their bond underscores Nashville roots and resilience, spanning Johnson’s family eviction in Hawaii to Jelly Roll’s former legal troubles and health challenges.