Jewel apologizes to fans after performing the event in office

Jewel She had a heartfelt message for fans who were upset by her decision to perform during one of the president’s Donald TrumpInaugural events.

“As many of you know, I am a mental health advocate,” Jewell, 50, said in a video shared via Instagram On Friday, January 24. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last 20 years, it’s that mental health affects everyone’s life across party lines.”

The singer who performed on Robert F. Kennedy JrMake America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball on Monday, January 20, went on to claim that it “reached out to the last administration,” referring to former President Joe Bidenand spoke to the “surgeon general about the mental health crisis facing this nation.”

“I believe there are things we can do to save lives,” she continued. “I believe I can help. I have to try. And if I wait to try until I’m 100% on board with people who might be willing to help me, I’ll never get off the bench – I don’t think that’s how activism works, waiting until everything is perfect enough to participated. It’s actually because things are so imperfect that we have to find ways to engage and participate. And we must act now. We can’t wait another four years. “

Jewel faced heavy criticism from many of her fans – including members of the LGBTQ+ community – for attending the event. In the same Instagram post, she spoke directly to those fans.

“Half of our country feels hopeful right now, and we honor that.” And half of our country feels disenfranchised and vulnerable and vulnerable, and that’s unacceptable,” she said. “And I’m so sorry for causing pain, especially in my LGBTQI+ community, because you are treasures – you make the world a better place. You made my life a better place. And I won’t stop fighting. None of us can stop fighting. “

Jewel’s appearance Monday at the inaugural event was apparently an unexpected gift to Kennedy’s wife, Cheryl Hines – The singer is not on the list of performers for the 2025 inauguration events.

“I got a call from a woman who has been Cheryl’s favorite music artist her whole life, and she said, ‘I’m going to come sing for the crowd tonight,'” Kennedy, who is running for president in 2024. before suspending his campaign and supporting then-candidate Trump, told the crowd. “We have a special treat. Please welcome jewel. “

Jewel, who has not publicly endorsed any candidate in the 2024 presidential election, then took the stage.

“I’m happy to be here,” she said. “I want to thank Bobby for sacrificing so much to make America healthy again. To start treating ourselves as a whole person. We are a physical, mental and emotional body. “

In her Instagram post, Jewel said she believes “there are people in the new administration who are willing to help” on the issue of mental health.

“I don’t agree with all the politics, but if I can help shape policy and make sure that mental health is in the conversation when it comes to the health of Americans, if I can help put mental health resources or tools in the hands of the most vulnerable Who needs it, I will try,” she continued. “I will fight.”