Jewel apologized to fans for performing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball.
The artist sang Somewhere Over The Rainbow for Kennedy, who is Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of the Department of health and human services.
The singer, 50, said she decided to perform in order to help ‘shape policy’ involving mental health.
‘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,’ Jewel said in the video she shared to her Instagram page Friday.
Jewel said she was ‘so sorry’ to her longtime fans if she caused them pain, especially her LGBTQIA+ fans.
‘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,’ she said.
Jewel apologized to fans for performing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball
Adding: ‘If I wait to try until I agree 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.’
Jewel continued: ‘It’s actually… because things are so imperfect that we have to find ways to engaged and to participate. And we have to act now. We cannot wait until four years.’
Read More A-List singer performed for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during surprise appearance at inauguration ball 
‘I believe there are people in the new administration that are willing to help on this issue. And I do not agree on all the politics but if I can help shape policy, make sure mental health is in the conversation when it comes to American health, if I can help put resources or mental health tools into the hands of most vulnerable who need it, I’m going to try and I’m going to fight.
She continued: ‘And I understand that my words were overly simplistic. 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.’
‘And I’m so sorry I caused pain, especially to my LGBTQIA+ community because you guys are treasures. You make the world a better place. 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 change is in relationship. It isn’t 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.’
‘It pains me and i’m so sorry to some of my longtime fans who feel that I let them down. I want to be a ray of light in this world. I try hard to be a ray of light in your lives and 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. I have so much admiration for each of you,’ she concluded.
Jewel made the 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.
The singer, 50, said she decided to perform in order to help ‘shape policy’ involving mental health
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Jewel delighted attendees of the Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball, with a surprise performance for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines
Jewel was the surprise musical guest at the Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball, performing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines.
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.
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 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 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.
