RFK Jr. invites favorite singer Cheryl Hines Jewel to perform at the inauguration

Robert F. Kennedy Jr surprised the crowd — and many fans — after the tap-in Jewel to speak at his inaugural Make America Health Again Ball.

Apparently, Jewel’s appearance was a gift to Kennedy’s wife, Cheryl Hinesand was unexpected — Jewell had not previously been listed as a performer at the 2025 inaugural events, which will take place on Monday, January 20, as part of the celebration President Donald Trumpthe second term.

“We’re going to go out and make America whole again,” Kennedy, 71, told the crowd at MAHA’s inaugural ball in Washington, D.C., according to a fan video shared through X.

Kennedy — whom Trump chose as a new elector Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services — then told how Jewels’ impromptu performance came about.

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“I received a call from a woman who Cheryl’s favorite musical artist throughout her life, and she told me, ‘I’m going to come and sing in front of the crowd tonight,'” Kennedy said, before telling the audience: “We have a very special treat. Please welcome Jewel.”

Jewell, who has not publicly endorsed either candidate Presidential elections of 2024then went on stage to a hall full of applause.

“I’m happy to be here,” said the 50-year-old singer. “I want to thank Bobby for sacrificing so much to make America healthy again. Start treating us as whole people. We are a physical, mental and emotional body.’

The musician noted that she chose the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for this holiday because of what the song symbolizes.

“I think it sums up the hope that America was founded on, and I think we’re all feeling ourselves again,” Jewell said before performing the iconic song originally released Judy Garland and wrote Harold Arlen and Ip Harburg for 1939 The Wizard of Oz.

Jewel’s a cappella performance brought tears to Hines, who watched from the side of the stage.

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The Curb your enthusiasm The 59-year-old actress was seen fanning herself while standing next to her husband and wiping away tears, reports video on Instagram from the event.

While Jewel is a a longtime health advocateespecially when it comes to mental healthher performance was unexpected. While her performance was praised by many fans, as with many of the musicians who appeared on stage to celebrate Trump’s return to office, she also received some backlash.

Jewell has not spoken publicly about her decision to sing at the MAHA gala, but Carrie Underwoodwho sang “America the Beautiful” on stage official inauguration ceremonydid respond to the online backlash she received.

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“I love our country and am honored to be asked to sing at the inauguration and be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood, 41, said in a statement earlier this month. “I am pleased to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in a spirit of unity and look to the future.”

Nellywhich took this stage in separate inaugural event released his own statement over the weekend, saying, “This is not politics.”

He explained: “Politics is over for me. He won. He is the president. He is the commander-in-chief of, as I would say, the best country in the world.”