Once known for outrageous stunts and internet fame, John Robert Hill Jr., now recognized as Holy Gabbana, is reaching over a million people with a new message rooted in faith and redemption.

After a life marked by crime, trauma, and substance abuse, Hill says he experienced a radical spiritual transformation while in prison, prompting a turnaround that now fuels his work sharing the Gospel across various communities, CBN reported.

Hill first rose to fame as a teenager by creating viral online content that showcased wild and illegal behavior, including jumping on cars, the t, and vandalism. With no manager or marketing team, he amassed a substantial following entirely on his own. “I didn’t blow up with a team,” he recalled. “I blew up from the streets.”

At the peak of his popularity, he had five million online followers and interactions with major celebrities. But despite his online success, Hill said he was battling deep emotional trauma. He described a troubled upbringing that included abuse from his mother and the loss of his stepfather to cancer, both of which left a lasting impact on his mental health.

To cope, he began using drugs heavily, developing a deep addiction to pills to escape emotional pain. His spiral culminated in a series of crimes, including hit-and-run incidents, gun violations, and drug possession, which led to his incarceration in 2018. It was during his time behind bars that everything started to change.

A Spiritual Awakening Begins Behind Bars

His journey towards faith began with a simple question from his cellmate, a man named Joshua, who asked if he believed in Jesus. At that moment, Hill said, it felt like God was reaching out to him through another person. “Anybody else could have been my cellmate,” he said, but Joshua sparked a turning point in his life.

From there, Hill began exploring spiritual ideas and found himself drawn to worship. One night while lying on his bunk, he started singing a verse about Jesus and was suddenly filled with overwhelming joy. “I can’t explain why I was sad, but I was just sad,” he recalled. He said it felt as if something removed his sorrow and replaced it with uncontainable happiness.

He compared the experience to none of the hallucinations he'd had while high, saying this spiritual encounter was unlike anything else he had felt. Though he had used drugs to the point of imagined conversations with walls, he claimed this moment in jail was entirely different and real.

From Drug Reliance to Continued Sobriety

Now out of prison and sober for four years, Hill credits Jesus with filling the void that drugs could never satisfy. “I don’t even have a desire to get back on drugs or anything,” he said. The internal emptiness he once felt, he claims, disappeared after his divine experience.

Today, he dedicates his life to spreading the Christian gospel. He visits prisons, schools, and juvenile detention centers not just to share his story but to inspire others facing hardship. He hopes that by speaking openly about his past, others will realize it’s never too late to choose a path of healing.

In addition to public speaking, Hill uses music as a form of ministry. Rebranding himself as “Holy Gabbana,” he incorporates faith-based themes into his rap songs, reaching a growing audience of more than 1.3 million followers online. His messages often combine personal stories with biblical teaching.

Restoration as a Message of Hope

Hill insists that one's past mistakes do not have to define their future and believes that spiritual restoration is available to everyone. “The state that we are in, the sinful state, it's not how it was originally designed,” he said, suggesting that only through returning to God can someone find their true purpose.

He makes a point to connect with people through vulnerability, believing that being open about previous failures can genuinely encourage change in others. “Sharing my failures with somebody could encourage them,” he said. “It’s never too late to make a turnaround.”

By using both his online platform and in-person outreach, Hill hopes to show others that transformation is possible no matter how deep the wounds or how destructive the path has been. His goal is to be a living testimony to the redemptive power of faith.

Using Influence for a New Purpose

Once known for chaos and internet notoriety, Hill has rechanneled his influence to now encourage reflection and healing. Though his early fame was built on destruction, he now uses that same platform to promote restoration and hope.

As he continues to tell his story, he remains committed to showing that no person is too far gone for redemption. In spaces where despair often lingers—like prisons and detention centers—he offers a message grounded in second chances and spiritual renewal.

From five million online fans to daily outreach in underserved communities, Hill’s journey illustrates a striking turnaround and reminds audiences that a renewed life often begins when someone dares to change direction. His newest viral message is one of faith, forgiveness, and starting over.