Jewel Biography

Fast Facts

• Was raised in Alaska
• Lived in a van in San Diego while she played coffeehouses and wrote songs; was signed by Atlantic Records at the age of 18
• Her debut album, Pieces of You, was certified 11 times platinum
• Won an American Music Award for Best New Artist in 1995
• Published a book of poetry, A Night Without Armor, in 1998, and the personal journal Chasing Down the Dawn in 2000
• After making her breakthrough with folk-pop music, changed direction to release a country album, Perfectly Clear, in 2008 and a children's album, Lullaby, in 2009
• Was slated to appear as a contestant on Season 8 of Dancing With the Stars but had to drop out after suffering stress fractures in both legs
• Is a supporter and founding member of the humanitarian non-profit Higher Ground for Humanity