The New Kids on the Block founding member 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’m realizing that in this last year. I’m broken, too,” he told podcaster George Janko. “I’ve been on and off, like really wanting to commit my life to Jesus. And then I would do it…But I didn’t have the resources.”
Wahlberg disclosed he and his wife regularly pray and study the Bible together to stay spiritually grounded.
“I have a wonderful wife, wonderful kids. I have everything,” he continued. “So, as I am testifying right now, I don’t have a story of having everything 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 to the outside, to everyone, looks perfect, and I was empty. I was empty without Him, and I was existing without Him and trying to glorify him at times.”
While his “deep connection to God” did not immediately develop when he was younger, the singer said his faith evolved later in life. He particularly had an epiphany when he was working on the New Kids on the Block Las Vegas show in June 2025, noting he felt like something was “missing” in his life.
When he told McCarthy he had to “connect with Jesus” and “give [his] life to Him now,” the Scream 3 star responded, “Of course.”
“Once I could talk to my wife about it, I knew there was no turning back,” 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 fully surrendering. I couldn’t do it. And I thought I was.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Wahlberg reflected on one of life’s biggest mysteries: “Why am I going to heaven? I pray that I am. I hope that I am. But I would only say because Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and it’s by His grace.”