After receiving criticism for her performance at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again inaugural gala on Monday, January 20, which commemorated Donald Trump’s second inauguration, Jewel took to social media to apologize to her followers.
According to Variety, Jewel surprised Kennedy’s wife Cheryl Hines by performing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” during the occasion.
In the days that followed, she came under fire on the internet from admirers who thought the singer-songwriter and occasionally country vocalist was endorsing Donald Trump’s new government.
Jewel has long been a mental health advocate, and in a video she shared on Instagram on Friday, January 24, she clarified that the purpose of her performance at the event was to support her activism.
“I think I can assist. “And I have to try if I think I can help,” the singer said. Furthermore, I would never be able to leave the bench if I waited to try until I was completely in agreement with the others who might be willing to assist me. I don’t believe that waiting until everything is ideal before getting involved is how activism operates. Actually, we need to discover methods to contribute and engage since things are so flawed, and we need to take action right away. We can’t hold off for four more years. In my opinion, there are members of the new administration that are eager to assist with this matter.
She continued by stating that although she does not “agree on all the politics,” she is “going to try and I’m going to fight” in order to provide resources to people who are experiencing mental health issues.
“And I realize that what I said was too basic,” she said. “I respect the fact that half of our nation is experiencing hope at the moment. Furthermore, it is unacceptable that half of our nation feels unprotected, afraid, and disenfranchised.
Jewel especially expressed regret to her LGBTQIA+ followers who feel excluded under the Trump government.
I sincerely apologize for any hurt I may have caused, especially to my LGBTQIA+ community, who are such jewels. The world is a better place because of you. “You’ve improved my life,” she added, adding that she thinks the best way to bring about change is to keep up relationships with individuals she doesn’t agree with.
“It isn’t done in seclusion or solitude. I sincerely hope that we can overcome our hurt and work toward mutual understanding by being in a relationship, reaching out, and having difficult conversations.”
Taste of Country’s senior writer and editor is Sterling Whitaker. He covers Yellowstone and related exhibits like 1883 and 1923, and he concentrates on once-lebrity real estate. Whitaker is renowned for his in-depth interviews with country giants such as Don Henley, Rodney Crowell, Trace Adkins, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs, and others. He has also interviewed cast members such as Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, Sam Elliott, and Harrison Ford.
