Singer-songwriter Jewel has publicly spoken out in support of rising star Chappell Roan in addressing the growing problem of fan harassment and the importance of setting boundaries.
In a recent TikTok video, Jewel, 50, shared personal anecdotes of the harassment she has endured throughout her career, including death threats, being chased through airports and even encountering a petrol bomb outside her home.
In her TikTok video, Jewel discussed the hard lesson of setting boundaries with fans, explaining how she learned to keep a safe distance while still engaging with her audience.
“Over time, I’ve learned to talk to my fans and say, ‘You can’t come closer than six feet to me,'” Jewel shared.
She then recounted a recent experience in Beverly Hills, when a fan approached her respectfully, keeping a safe distance and expressing admiration without making her feel threatened.
“It’s great! It makes me feel safer! I can choose to take pictures safely,” said Jewel.
Jewel continued to express her support for Roan, praising her for bringing attention to an often overlooked issue. “I’m glad people are talking about it. It’s something that people don’t normally talk about,” Jewel said.
She also stressed the need for compassion, regardless of a person’s fame or wealth. “Everybody deserves compassion. Even if you’re rich. Even if you’re famous. We have to demonstrate, if that’s our value, to have compassion,” she added.
Jewel’s comments were in response to Roan’s recent social media post, in which the 26-year-old artist criticized the “creepy” and “entitled” behavior of some fans and pointed out that women don’t owe anyone an explanation when it comes to setting personal boundaries.
“I don’t subscribe to the notion that I owe a mutual exchange of energy, time, or attention to people I don’t know, don’t trust, or who intimidate me — just because they express admiration. Women don’t owe you a reason why they don’t want to be touched or talked to,” she wrote on Instagram.
Roan’s post comes after she disabled comments following backlash for speaking out about the harassment she faced as a public figure.
Jewel wasn’t the only one to support Roan. Paramore’s Hayley Williams also shared Roan’s Instagram post, expressing her opinion that harassment is a common problem for women in the music industry.
“[R]read the entire post and caption too. this happens to every woman i know in this industry, including me. social media makes it worse. i’m so grateful to chappell for being willing to address the issue in a real way, in real time. it was brave and unfortunately necessary,” Williams wrote in an Instagram Story that has since expired, according to The Line of Best Fit.
Another artist who has echoed Roan’s sentiments is Madison Beer, who recently addressed similar concerns during her ongoing tour of Asia and Australia. Beer took to social media to explain why she refused to take photos with fans at the hotel, citing privacy and safety concerns.
“While on tour, the hotel is essentially my temporary home, and I have the right to some privacy just like anyone else,” Beer explains. She then notes the dangers of revealing her location to others, potentially putting her in danger.
Jewel Card, Chappell Roan