Robert F. Kennedy Jr
Kevin Lamarck – Pool/Getty ImagesRobert F. Kennedy Jr surprised the crowd – and many fans – after taping Jewel to attend his inaugural Make America Health Again Ball.
Jewel’s appearance was apparently a gift to Kennedy’s wife, Cheryl Hinesand it was unexpected – Jewel had not previously been included in the list of performers for the 2025 launch events, organized on Monday, January 20, in honor of president Donald Trumpsecond term.
“We’re going to go out and make America great again,” Kennedy, 71, told a crowd at the MAHA inaugural ball held in Washington, D.C., according to a fan video shared via X.
Kennedy – who was selected by Trump as his choice for the new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services — then revealed how Jewels’ impromptu performance came about.
Carrie Underwood sang her heart out during President Donald Trump’s second inauguration despite technical difficulties. The 41-year-old country singer performed “America the Beautiful” during the ceremony on Monday, January 20, at the US Capitol building in Washington, DC. She was accompanied by the People of the Armed Forces and the Glee Club of the United States Naval Academy (…)
“I got a call from a woman who is Cheryl’s favorite music artist throughout her life and she said to me, ‘I’m going to come and sing to the crowd tonight,'” Kennedy said, before telling the audience: “We have a special treat. Please welcome Jewel.
Jewell, who did not publicly endorse any of the candidates in the Presidential elections in 2024then took the stage to a room full of cheers.
“I’m happy to be here,” the 50-year-old singer said. “I want to thank Bobby for sacrificing so much to make America healthy again. To start treating us as whole people. We are a physical, mental and emotional body.
Jewel.
Taylor Hill/Getty ImagesThe musician noted that she chose to sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for the occasion because of what the song symbolizes.
“I think it sums up the hope that America was founded on and that I think we’re all feeling again,” Jewell said before singing the iconic song, originally released by Judy Garland and written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for 1939 The Wizard of Oz.
Jewel’s a cappella performance brought tears to Hines’ eyes as he watched from the side of the stage.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images Cheryl Hines and Robert F. The Kennedys Jr. are not the most likely couple. Thrust into the spotlight amid Kennedy’s 2024 presidential bid, the couple have done their best to keep their private lives out of the public eye. As Americans speculate about how their seemingly disparate worldviews fit together, Curb Your (…)
The Curb your enthusiasm The 59-year-old actress was seen fanning herself as she stood by her husband and wiped away tears, according to video on Instagram from the event.
While Jewel is a a longtime advocate of healthespecially when it comes to mental healthher performance was unexpected. While many fans appreciated her performance like many of the musicians who took the stage to celebrate Trump’s return to office, she also received some backlash.
Jewel has not spoken publicly about her decision to sing at the MAHA Gala, but Carrie Underwoodwho performed “America the Beautiful” in official opening ceremonyresponded to the online backlash he received.
Jewell is a longtime champion of putting her mental health first before her career. “When I moved out at 15, I knew I had to learn about happiness and I pursued it,” the singer exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting mental health resources through her Not Alone Challenge. “And when I was homeless, (…)
“I love our country and I’m honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood, 41, said in a statement earlier this month. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we all need to come together in a spirit of unity and look to the future.”
Rightwho took this stage in separate opening event released its own statement over the weekend, saying, “This is not politics.”
He explained: “For me, politics is over. He won. He is the president. He is the commander-in-chief of what I would like to say is the best country in the world.
