A surprise musical guest delighted attendees of the Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball, performing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines.
Singer Jewel, 50, made an unexpected appearance during inauguration festivities for Donald Trump, as she took the stage to perform at the event, held on Monday night at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C.
The You Were Meant for Me hitmaker performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow for Kennedy, 71 — who has been picked by Trump as his choice for the new secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services — and Hines, 59.
In a video shared on X Jewel took the stage, telling the crowd: ‘I am happy to be here. I want to thank Bobby for sacrificing so much to make America healthy again. To start treating us like we’re a whole human. We’re a physical, mental and an emotional body.’
The musician explained that she selected Somewhere Over the Rainbow for its symbolic significance.
‘I think that it sums up the hope that founded America and that I think we’re all feeling again,’ Jewel stated.
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Jewel, 50, delighted attendees of the Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball, with a surprise performance for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines
The singer made an unexpected appearance during inauguration festivities for Donald Trump, held on Monday night in Washington, D.C.; Kennedy and Hines pictured at the event
The Grammy Award-winner was a vision in a timeless black-and-white gown.
The appearance from Jewel, who did not publicly endorse any presidential candidate during the 2024 election, was Kennedy’s gift to Hines, as she is his wife’s ‘favorite’ artist.
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Hines was moved to tears by Jewel’s a cappella performance, as she watched from the side of the stage.
Kennedy spoke to the crowd at the ball, recalling how Jewels’ performance came to be.
‘I got a call from a woman, who is Cheryl’s favorite musical artist in her whole life, and she said to me, “I’m going to come and sing to the crowd tonight,”‘ he told the audience, adding, ‘We have a special treat. Please welcome Jewel.’
The singer was not previously included on the list of performers for the 2025 Inauguration events.
In the video Kennedy was also heard telling the crowd: ‘We’re going to go out and make America healthy again.’
The ball also featured appearances from Russell Brand and Rob Schneider.
The hitmaker performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow for Kennedy, who has been picked by Trump as his choice for the new secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
In a video shared on X Jewel took the stage, telling the crowd: ‘I am happy to be here. I want to thank Bobby for sacrificing so much to make America healthy again’
Hines was moved to tears by Jewel’s a cappella performance, as she watched from the side of the stage
The appearance from Jewel, who did not publicly endorse any presidential candidate during the 2024 election, was Kennedy’s gift to Hines, as she is his wife’s ‘favorite’ artist he told the crowd
RFK Jr. with his entire family at the MAHA inaugural ball: “We’re gonna go out and Make America Healthy Again!”He then introduced the famous singer Jewel who says she is a huge fan of RFK and MAHA! pic.twitter.com/CanUH3KoIT
— End Tribalism in Politics (@EndTribalism) January 21, 2025
The inaugural event was billed as a ‘celebration of health’ and ‘unity’ to ‘champion a healthier, brighter future for all’, per Entertainment Weekly.
Earlier this month Jewel shared a pH๏τo featuring her with Kennedy and his kids while attending an event for the Inspiring Children Foundation.
Not all her fans are pleased by her ᴀssociation with the Trump administration.
Underneath her pH๏τo with Kennedy one fan wrote: ‘What a disappointment. I have shed actual tears over this, as ridiculous as that may sound. For some reason I thought you were different. You’re free to think how you want, obviously, but your message heretofore has been one of love and compᴀssion-the exact opposite of what the incoming administration is about.’
‘Eww RFK Jr? Who will save your soul?’ another wrote.
‘The first pics with RFK jr was certainly a choice and a message. So sad when your favorites go to that dark side.’
‘A profound unfollow,’ another wrote, while someone else chimed in with, ‘ewww between your love for the Trump family and RFK, I’m out. I used to think you were better than this.’
She is not the first performer who received backlash from fans for attending inauguration events.
Earlier this month Jewel shared a pH๏τo featuring her with Kennedy and his kids while attending an event for the Inspiring Children Foundation
Not all her fans are pleased by her ᴀssociation with the Trump administration
A number of performers have received backlash from fans for attending inauguration events, including Carrie Underwood; She is seen performing at President Trump’s inauguration
Carrie Underwood took to the stage to sing America The Beautiful at the U.S. Capitol during Trump’s inauguration.
Ahead of her appearance, Underwood faced backlash for agreeing to perform at the ceremony.
Despite criticism, the singer has maintained that she decided to sing at Trump’s inauguration simply out of pride for her country.
‘I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,’ she said in a previous statement.
‘I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.’
Rappers Nelly and Snoop Dogg also faced fierce criticism for performing at the inauguration events.
