Jewel responds to backlash after playing Trump inauguration event: “I want to be a ray of light in this world”

nme.com:

Jewel has addressed the backlash to her appearance at an event for Donald Trump’s inauguration, saying she wants to be a “ray of light in this world”.The singer played a surprise set at the Make America Healthy Again Ball on January 20, which honoured Robert F.

Kennedy Jr, the new president’s vaccine sceptic pick to lead the Department of Health.Jewel played ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ at the event, leading some fans to question whether her involvement represented an endorsement of Trump.In a video posted to Instagram, Jewel explained that she viewed her appearance as a chance to highlight the country’s mental health crisis.“As many of you know, I am a mental health advocate,” she said. “If there’s anything that I’ve learned in the past 20 years, it’s that mental health affects everybody’s lives across party lines.

I [also] reached out to the last administration [and] spoke with the surgeon general about the mental health crisis that’s facing our nation.

I don’t know if you guys know the stats, but it is bleak.”A post shared by Jewel (@jewel)“If I wait to try until I agree 100% with the people that might be willing to help me, I’d never get off the bench,” she added. “I don’t think that’s how activism works, waiting until everything’s perfect enough to participate.