I’m a Work in Progress
The singer, actress and single mom knows she’s not perfect — and she’s OK with that!
With such a quirky route to fame — from being raised on a remote Alaskan homestead without running water to a period of homelessness in LA to a smash hit debut album at age 21 — Jewel has gotten used to adapting to new circumstances. Now navigating life as a single mom to Kase, her 6-year- old son with ex-husband Ty Murray, she’s still learning. “I hope my son sees that it’s OK to not have all the answers,” says the singer and actress, whose Deadly Deed: A Fixer Upper Mystery, airs on the Hallmark Channel on May 20. “More than being perfect, our children need to understand the importance of being kind to ourselves, and being a work in progress.” Here, Jewel, 43, tells In Touch’s Spencer Lubitz about the most important guy in her life, the challenges of co-parenting and her surprising celebrity crush.
You look like you haven’t changed since Pieces of You came out in 1995! What’s your secret? J: You know, I go into the forest and slather myself in unicorn tears! [ Laughs] I’ve studied nutrition and herbology — I think that has affected how I have aged. When I got discovered, I had to learn how to handle anxiety…and about nutrition. Back then, I would get called a chubby Renée Zellweger!
Whatever you’re doing is working. Is there a special man in your life? J: Just one. My 6-year-old.
Do you see him following in your footsteps as a performer? J: Oh, it’s not up to me! He’s certainly capable. He’s very funny, he’s charismatic, but I don’t know if it’s in his blood. Your job as a parent is to try to let them experience as many things as they can so they’re able to stumble across what they’re passionate about.
Do you take him to work with you? J: Yeah! I feel really fortunate that I don’t have to leave him at day care. I can bring him with me, and I can teach him as we travel.
Any chance you’ll pop up on your dad’s reality show, Alaska: The Last Frontier, again? J: I’ve been on the last two seasons, just a bit, when I happen to be up there. It’s neat to have an actual show of how I was raised. I’m really proud of my family and the wisdom they can share. That’s not your only TV gig — you’re on your third Fixer Upper Mystery movie. Will you do more? J: I’m signed on for nine [total]! I did them because I get to do something fun and creative and we shoot it in three weeks!
Why is that important? J: I love acting, but I didn’t need to be more famous; I needed to be more connected to family. You only have so many days in a year, and I’m more interested in being a mom.
What are the biggest challenges of co-parenting? J: As soon as you get a bead on something that works, your child’s needs change, so you have to rework it. You have to put [ your child] first. Sometimes you have to do some deep breathing, some letting go [and think], I’m not going to call any names, I’m just going to be kind….
Well, in the end... J: Only kindness matters!