Jewel says she 'went gray overnight' after harrowing stalker experience, supports Chappell Roan's fan boundaries
"We shouldn't make people feel unsafe," the singer-songwriter said, adding that she's "proud" of Roan for speaking out.
Jewel knows firsthand how distressing it can be to deal with stalking and invasion of one's personal space, which is why she's "proud" of her fellow singer Chappell Roan for speaking out against intrusive fan behavior.
In a recent TikTok video, the veteran singer-songwriter defended Roan against criticism she's faced for setting firm boundaries with fans, asking them not to touch her without consent. In doing so, Jewel also shared some of her own harrowing experiences with stalkers.
"I saw that [Roan] had to turn off her comments because of her recent post just saying being stalked and having people grab you in public isn't okay as a celebrity," Jewel said. "It's really interesting. A lot of the comments are people saying, 'You shouldn't have chosen your job, then.' I get to speak as an older stateswoman, so I'll give you an example."
Taylor Hill/Getty; Emma McIntyre/Getty
Jewel and Chappell RoanPulling off her hat to show her gray roots, the "Foolish Games" singer continued, "You see how gray I am? I went gray overnight when I was 21 years old, with my first stalker. It was so scary. This person was leaving fire bombs outside my house. I was getting death threats saying I would be shot from the stage. I've had hundreds of stalkers in my career, and it's not okay. It made me step back from my own career. I quit after Spirit, after 'Hands,' because it was just too much."
Citing childhood trauma as one reason that being crowded by fans makes her deeply uncomfortable, Jewel said it took several years of fame for her to set boundaries with fans — and made a huge difference when she finally did.
"I learned with time that I could talk to my fans and say, 'You can't come within six feet of me,'" she said, recalling a recent encounter with a fan who made sure to respect that request when chatting with her in public. "That was so nice. It made me feel so safe. I could choose to take a picture safely."
She added, "But the amount of times I was chased in airports because I wouldn't stop, because if I stop once a mob would happen? I remember a guy calling me a bitch, yelling at me through the airport, 'F???ing bitch! You think you're all that?' We shouldn’t make people feel unsafe."
Jewel then expressed "full support" for Roan, as she spoke directly to the "Pink Pony Club" singer.
"I’m proud of what you’re doing," she said. "I hope you all know that everybody is worthy of compassion. Even if you're rich. Even if you're famous."
Roan, a 26-year-old rising star who separates her public and private personas with a stage name, first spoke about experiencing "creepy behavior" in a series of August TikTok videos, which she followed up with an Instagram statement shutting down those who criticized her stance on the matter.
"I want to be an artist for a very very long time," she wrote. "I've been in too many nonconsensual physical and social interactions and I just need to lay it out and remind you, women don't owe you s???. I chose this career path because I love music and art and honoring my inner child, I do not accept harassment of any kind because I chose this path, nor do I deserve it."
She added, "I want to love my life, be outside, giggle with my friends, go to the movie theater, feel safe, and do all the things every single person deserves to do. Please stop touching me. Please stop being weird to my family and friends. Please stop assuming things about me. There is always more to the story. I am scared and tired."
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.
