Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 3, 2025 · Entertainment

Jewel's Bold Transformation: Fans Divided Over Her Racy Makeover

Singer Jewel, now 51, has stunned fans after undergoing a bombshell makeover

JEWEL'S DOWNFALL: FROM FOLKY SINGER-SONGWRITER TO HOLLYWOOD HOOKER

The once-beloved folk singer-songwriter, Jewel, has been at the center of a heated controversy after her recent bombshell makeover left many of her longtime fans feeling betrayed. The 51-year-old Alaskan native, who rose to fame in the '90s with hits like "Who Will Save Your Soul" and "Foolish Games," has undergone a dramatic transformation that's rubbing people the wrong way.

Jewel, who counts billionaire Jeff Bezos' wife Lauren Sanchez as one of her closest friends, attended the power couple's wedding last week and made headlines for her jaw-dropping lingerie-inspired outfits. The singer wore a see-through Dolce & Gabbana corset and shorts at the party, leaving little to the imagination. She also donned a racy red gown with a plunging neckline that showcased her cleavage, sending shockwaves among fans who remembered her as the down-to-earth, acoustic-driven artist they once admired.

The folk icon is pictured performing at a music festival in 1999

But Jewel's newfound love of designer lingerie isn't the only thing that's got people talking. Her friendship with Sanchez, who was previously embroiled in a highly publicized affair with Bezos, has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns about Jewel's values. Some fans have expressed disappointment, even outrage, on social media, pointing out the stark contrast between her current lifestyle and the messages she once conveyed through her music.

"It's like your current actions totally contradict the messages that flowed through your lyrics for so many years," wrote one fan, echoing the sentiments of many others who feel betrayed by Jewel's transformation. "You've broken my heart," another commented, referencing her hit song "Who Will Save Your Soul." A third fan lamented, "I miss the Jewel of the 90s who wouldn't have fallen into this crowd. She was too smart for that."

But not everyone is buying into the criticism. Some loyal fans came to Jewel's defense, praising her for staying true to herself and pursuing her passions, even if they don't align with her earlier work. "Jewel is the Goat – all I need to say," wrote one admirer, while another chimed in, "She was there mostly seeking donations to her mental health foundation. The comments here are from people who have no knowledge of her integrity."

Jewel wore a racy red gown with a plunging neckline for a party to celebrate Lauren Sanchez's wedding to Jeff Bezos

This isn't the first time Jewel has faced backlash for her associations. In January, she sparked outrage after performing at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball, singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" for Trump's Secretary of Health and Human Services. Jewel apologized to her fans in a video shared on Instagram, explaining that she wanted to help shape policy regarding mental health.

"I don't know if you guys know the stats, but it is bleak," she said, referencing the mental health crisis facing the nation. "If I wait to try until I agree 100 percent with the people that might be willing to help me, I'd never get off the bench. I don't think that's how activism works, waiting until everything's perfect enough to participate."

However, some fans saw this as a calculated move by Jewel to ingratiate herself with powerful figures and secure lucrative opportunities. "I came here trying to understand why Jewel is 'entertaining' MAGA, and some of these pics explain it," wrote one commenter. "She grew up isolated, got inculcated into the Hollywood elite early, and is now friends with some of the richest people in America."

'It's like your current actions totally contradict the messages that flowed through your lyrics for so many years,' complained one fan

The controversy surrounding Jewel's transformation has raised questions about the commodification of art and the pressures faced by celebrities to conform to societal expectations. As an artist who built her career on authenticity and vulnerability, Jewel's recent actions have left many wondering if she's lost sight of her values.

Only time will tell if Jewel can regain the trust of her fans or if this is the end of her reign as a beloved singer-songwriter. One thing's for sure – this scandal has sent shockwaves through the music industry and sparked a much-needed conversation about the complexities of fame, power, and identity.

Sources:

While attending an event at Art Basel, the singer wore another lingerie-inspired ensemble from Dolce & Gabbana, this time in a pink shade

  • thescholarlynote.com
  • thescholarlynote.com

Jewel slipped into a sparkly red mini-dress to party alongside Sanchez at a swanky 60th birthday bash for Bezos last year

The Foolish games hitmaker it pictured performing back in 1997 at the height of her fame

Jewel burst onto the music scene in 1995 with the release of her debut album, Pieces of You, which sold over 12 million copies