Religious Awakening Revealed by Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg

The founding member of New Kids on the Block also reflected on how “broken” and “empty” he felt in his career before committing his life to Jesus.

“People in this industry are broken. I’ve realized that over the past year. I’m broken too,” he says told podcaster George Janko. “I’ve had the urge at times to really entrust my life to Jesus. And then I would do it… But I didn’t have the resources.”

Wahlberg revealed that he and his wife regularly pray together and study the Bible to stay spiritually grounded.

‘I have a wonderful wife and wonderful children. “I have everything,” he continued. “So, as I testify now, I don’t have a story of having it all and losing it. I don’t have a story of being a drug addict and recovering. And God bless all those people who find their way… Everything looks perfect on the outside, to everyone, and I was empty. I was empty without Him, and I existed without Him and tried to glorify Him at times.”

Although his “deep connection with God” didn’t develop immediately when he was younger, the singer said his faith developed later in life. He especially had an epiphany while working on the New Kids on the Block Las Vegas show in June 2025, noting that he felt like something was “missing” in his life.

When he told McCarthy to ‘connect with Jesus’ and ‘give’ [his] live for Him now,” the Scream 3 star replied: “Of course.”

“Once I was able to talk to my wife about it, I knew there was no going back,” says the Blue Bloods actor shared. “I couldn’t ask for anything more from her. And I’m still lonely. And it’s Jesus. It’s Him. It’s me letting Him in all the way. Like being renewed in Him and completely surrendered. I couldn’t do it. And I thought that was me.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Wahlberg reflected on one of life’s greatest mysteries: “Why am I going to heaven? I pray I do. I hope I do. But I would only say because Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and it’s by His grace.”