Jewel Kilcher, commonly known as Jewel, is a renowned American singer-songwriter born on May 23, 1974. With a remarkable career, Jewel has garnered four Grammy Award nominations and has achieved global success with over 30 million albums sold as of 2021. Originating from Homer, Alaska, Jewel’s musical journey began early in her life, singing and yodeling alongside her father, Atz Kilcher, a local musician. At the age of fifteen, she earned a partial scholarship to the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, focusing on operatic voice training. Following her education, she ventured into writing and performing at various venues in San Diego, California. Her breakthrough came when Atlantic Records signed her based on the local buzz, leading to the release of her debut album, ‘Pieces of You,’ in 1995. The album quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the best-selling debut albums ever, achieving 12-times platinum status. Notably, her singles like ‘Who Will Save Your Soul,’ ‘You Were Meant for Me,’ and ‘Foolish Games’ climbed the charts and received accolades on Billboard’s year-end charts.
Continuing her musical journey, Jewel released her subsequent albums, ‘Spirit’ in 1998 and ‘This Way’ in 2001. With the release of ‘0304’ in 2003, Jewel embraced a new sound, incorporating electronic elements and dance-pop vibes, a departure from her folk-oriented style. In 2008, she ventured into country music with the release of ‘Perfectly Clear,’ which debuted at the top of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. The album featured hit singles like ‘Stronger Woman,’ ‘I Do,’ and ”Til It Feels Like Cheating.’ Jewel’s versatility extended beyond music into writing and acting, showcasing her talents across different artistic mediums. In 1998, she published a collection of poetry and made her acting debut in Ang Lee’s Western film ‘Ride with the Devil’ in 1999, earning critical acclaim for her performance. Recently, in 2021, Jewel captivated audiences as she emerged as the winner of the sixth season of ‘The Masked Singer’ under the persona of the Queen of Hearts, further solidifying her multifaceted artistic prowess and enduring legacy.