Jewel shared a bathroom selfie on Instagram Stories this week that highlighted a noticeably more muscular physique, saying she has added weightlifting to her fitness routine.
The 51-year-old singer — who rose to fame in the mid-1990s with her debut album Pieces of You — was photographed in a black one-piece swimsuit in the image she posted Tuesday. The Utah native has drawn attention in recent months for a slimmer look and a renewed emphasis on strength training.
Jewel, who boosted to stardom with hits such as "Who Will Save Your Soul," "Foolish Games" and "You Were Meant for Me," has said little publicly about the specifics of her regimen other than that lifting weights has helped her gain muscle. Her debut album, released in 1995, sold more than 12 million copies worldwide and established her as a prominent singer-songwriter.
In addition to her recent posts, Jewel has remained visible on the social circuit. She attended the wedding of Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos in Italy over the summer and has appeared at other high-profile events. She was previously married to rodeo champion Ty Murray.
The singer was linked romantically to actor Kevin Costner in late 2023 after the two were seen together at a charity fundraiser on Necker Island. Costner later told Howard Stern the relationship was a friendship, and Jewel described Costner in an Elle profile as a "great person," while remaining coy about the nature of their connection.
Earlier this year, Jewel drew criticism from some fans after performing at an inaugural event for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She later apologised publicly, saying she regretted causing pain to longtime supporters, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community. In an Instagram video explaining her decision, she framed the performance as an attempt to influence mental health policy and said her advocacy compelled her to engage across political lines.
"As many of you know, I am a mental health advocate. If there's anything that I've learned in the past 20 years, it's that mental health affects everybody's lives — across party lines," she said in the video. She added that she had spoken with officials in the prior administration and the surgeon general about the country’s mental health crisis and argued that imperfect circumstances should not prevent activism.
Jewel has released several additional albums and singles since her breakthrough and has also explored acting and writing. Her recent social-media posts emphasize fitness and lifestyle changes rather than new musical projects. The singer has not announced any forthcoming tour dates or a new album.
Her decision to foreground strength training follows a broader trend among established artists and public figures who have publicly discussed weightlifting and resistance training as part of later-in-life fitness strategies. Jewel’s post generated attention from entertainment outlets and followers who noted the contrast with earlier public images and praised her apparent commitment to health and strength.