Happy birthday, Jewel!
Jewel Bio
Jewel Kilcher was born on May 23, 1974 in Payson, Utah. However, her family moved to Homer, Alaska, not too long after she was born. Jewel began to pursue her passion in singing as a child. As a kid, she performed in multiple tourist spots in her native Homer. After her parents' divorce, Jewel lived with her father, and performed alongside the patriarch as he toured in several locations in America, as per All Music.
As a teen, Jewel was a student in Intercholen Fine Arts Academy in Michigan. She got her initial opportunities in songwriting while she was a student in this school. After she graduated from Intercholen, Jewel moved to San Diego with her mother. After having been working for a while in a different occupation at this time, Jewel decided to pursue a full-time career in music.
How Jewel Launched Her Professional Music Career
After having regularly performing in the Inner Change coffehouse in Pacific Beach, Jewel soon acquired a loyal local fanbase. This opportunity led her to be signed on for a record contract with Atlantic records. Jewel's debut album, "Pieces of You" was released in early 1995.
Jewel's Milestones as a Singer
"Pieces of You" didn't reach the top of the charts right away. Jewel, though, worked hard in promoting her debut album, and didn't give up. The singer toured nationwide, with Atlantic records likewise releasing single versions off the musician's debut album, namely, "Who Will save Your Soul," "You Were Meant for Me," and "Foolish Games." The hits momentum of these songs gained a strong hold in 1996, more than a year after the release of "Pieces of You" album.
"Pieces of You" eventually became 12-times platinum, and this accolade made it one of the best-selling debut albums of all time.
Jewel Doesn't Have a Good Relationship with Her Parents?
Jewel candidly admitted that her relationship with her parents had taken a toll on her mental health. In a recent appearance in "Verywell Mind Podcast" with Amy Morin, the singer shared that her mother, Lenedra, stole over $100 million from her daughter while the former was her manager, as reported in Fox News. Jewel became buried in $3 million in debt, as a result of what happened.
As a child, Jewel grew up in the hands of an abusive father. The "You Were Meant for Me" singer opened up, saying that her father was an alcoholic, who would hit her.
Jewel shared her family story in her 2016 memoir called, "Never Broken."
