Jewel speaks out days after performing at Robert F. Kennedy inauguration event. What she said
As a mental health advocate, Jewel is sharing why she decided to perform at an inaugural ball honoring Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
At the event, Jewel sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for Kennedy, who is an anti-vaccine activist and President Donald Trump’s pick to be the new head of Health and Human Services. She explained her decision in an Instagram video shared on Jan. 24.
Despite saying she does “not agree on all the politics,” the 50-year-old singer believes that there are people in the new administration “that are willing to help” when it comes to mental health issues.
“As many of you know, I am a mental health advocate. If there’s anything that I’ve learned in the past 20 years, it’s that mental health affects everybody’s lives across party lines,” the singer began. “I reached out to the last administration, spoke with the surgeon general about the mental health crisis that’s facing our nation. I don’t know if you guys know the stats, but it is bleak.”
Jewel says that she believes she can help raise awareness for mental health and if she waited until she agreed “100% with the people that might be willing to help me, I’d never get off the bench.”
“I don’t think that’s how activism works, waiting until everything’s perfect enough to participate,” she said, adding, “Because things are so imperfect that we have to find ways to engage and to participate. And we have to act now. We cannot wait another four years.”
Jewel’s efforts in the mental health space include co-founding the Inspiring Children Foundation, a nonprofit that helps “underprivileged youth by providing a student-led, principle-based, and restorative mental health & wellness program.” She also co-founded the mental health app Innerworld.
The “Who Will Save Your Soul” singer expressed that if she’s able to help shape policy, make mental health a conversation and put resources and tools “into the hands of the most vulnerable who need it, I’m going to try and I’m going to fight.”
She added that she understands that “half of our country feels hope right now, and I honor that. And half of our country feels disenfranchised and scared and vulnerable, and that is unacceptable.”
Jewel continued by apologizing and saying she is “so sorry” to have caused any pain to anyone, especially her LGBTQIA+ fans.
“You guys are treasures. You’ve made my life a better place. And I will not stop fighting. None of us can afford to stop fighting, and I really believe that the only way we can change is in relationship,” she said. “It isn’t in isolation or by isolating, it’s by being in relationship, by reaching out, by having hard conversations, and I really hope that we can push through our hurt and move toward understanding on both sides.”
The singer concluded by saying that she wants to be “a ray of light in this world.”
“I know that in times of darkness we must grow light, and so I will wake up again tomorrow and try again. And I will count on each of you to do the same,” she said.
Jewel isn’t the only celebrity to share why they decided to participate in Inauguration Day events. Nelly, who was a special guest performer at the inaugural Liberty Ball, also defended his decision amid backlash.
“I support the President of the United States, regardless of who’s in office. Regardless, I respect the Office,” the rapper said in part.
Carrie Underwood, the lead singer of the Village People and Rascal Flatts singer also spoke out about their participation.
