by SPY_VONDEGA on JANUARY 26, 2012 - 10 Comments in PEOPLE
Jewel Kilcher - prefers Bravo to Discovery
Raised off the grid in Alaska, singer Jewel Kilcher, known professionally as Jewel, has sold tens of millions of records. The multi-platinum-selling singer and songwriter also co-hosts a successful TV series. But she is having nothing to do with her family’s latest venture – a low-budget reality show following their off-grid lives.
Her father and siblings are cashing in on her fame by allowing cameras from Discovery TV to follow them as they endure winter off the grid in Alaska. Jewel has not confirmed she is feeling betrayed by their decision to go for the series without her. She says the roots of the family are more adventuring than ecological: “”As a kid, we traveled by bush planes to Alaskan native villages. It would drop us off in the night, and dog sleds would pick us up in the village. I was probably about 6 or 7 years old.”
The simply titled, “Alaska: The Last Frontier,” is just the latest in the ever-expanding list of reality TV shows set in Alaska. Discovery were desperate for a new show to capitalise on the unexpected success of Gold Rush (2010). Now they have two. “Man, Woman, Wild”, thew only show to tell you how to make acorns for breakfast, returns from hiatus in a new time slot as Mykel Hawke, a wilderness expert and former Green Beret, and his wife, Ruth England, a city girl and television journalist, find themselves stranded on a glacier in Alaska. In “The Last Frontier” the Kilcher family takes center stage, though without the family’s most famous member.
Announced in March with the working title, “Mountain Men of Alaska,” the Discovery series focuses on patriarch Atz Kilcher, Jewel’s father. He and the rest of the clan live on a 600-acre homestead outside of Homer that was settled 80 years ago by Jewel’s grandfather, Yule Kilcher. That land is home to three generations, and the show’s first episode follows the Kilchers as they prepare for winter, highlighting their off-the-grid lifestyle.
As an adult Jewel has put down roots in Texas with husband Ty Murray. She debuted in 1995 with her album “Pieces of You,” which sold more than 15 million copies, thanks to her hits “Who Will Save Your Soul,” “You Were Meant for Me” and “Foolish Games.” Fittingly, she is the host of the Bravo TV singer-songwriter competition “Platinum Hit,” where she also serves as one of the judges.
“When Ty and I decided we wanted to start a family, I knew I needed to concentrate on work that didn’t require as much travel,” said the 37-year-old entertainer.
“My husband rodeoed his whole life and traveled quite a bit, so sometimes he’d rather sit at home than take another trip.”
Tags: alaska, celebrity, off grid, off-the-grid, offgrid, offthegrid.com, offthegridnews
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10 comments
I have been watching the show and even though I knew her last name and that she grew up in Alaska I had no idea she was even affiliated with the family let alone the daughter/sister of some of the people on the show. I mention that because as a viewer of the show I don’t get the sense that the family is trying to use her fame as a way to gain attention for themselves at all. There has never been a mention of her during the show. The show is about living in Alaska and she lives in Texas so why would she be a part of the show and why would they need her for it.
I agree with you Arixian. This article seems to do more to cash in on Jewels fame than the show ever did. Having watched the show several times on my Tivo, I still struggle to make the connection that the author is using as the premise of this article.
This article is kind of silly but the show is delightful. This is what I didn’t get from the PBS Frontier House nonsense. Had no idea from watching the show that they are related to Jewel.
Nearly a year later and that so called “low budget” show is still booming.
I have watched the show since the start and never once have they even mentioned Jewel. So how exactly is the family leaching off of her fame? Seems to me they are just simple folks living a life that most of us in one way or another wish we had.. the simplicity the scenery.. Get your facts before you write crap like this… fools.
100%!
If anything it is Jewel who has benefited from being related to Yule Kilcher.
She could always take her husbands name of Murray? It used to be a common and respectable thing to do? Maybe I am too old fashioned…
Anyway, I respect what the Homer family do way more than what she does. It seems to me the people in Alaska are REAL people.
YES! She has a beautiful voice and is very talented.
I disagree completely with the thought that the Kilchers are getting anything from Jewel’s celebrity status. They never even mention her. I think most of us are just interested in the life that this family leads, and everything there is to see and do in their area of Alaska. Most people have no clue how it would be to live like this, and because of this, it is very interesting. I have visited your state two different times and read anything and everything about your state, and I still find this show “great” Keep up the great job of producing these shows and it sounds like most people feel the same way I do, so again it does not have anything to do with making money off of the celebrity sister/daughter. I am just glad that they are willing to share their life with us.
Though I love Jewel I didn’t know until today she was Atz’s daughter. What a talented lady,Jewel, and what an amazing family group, the Kilchers. In NO way are they trying to capitalize off each other. Until today I didn’t know wrote the opening song and sang it with Jewel. I hope they keep the series as is and renew for many years to come.
Im a huge fan of the show and have been watching since it began. I had no idea that Jewel was in any way related to the kilcher family. I dont see how they are capitalizing on her fame- Ive never heard her name mentioned.
Hello, we’ll I had no idea jewel was related to them at all. Your right they never mention her, they are too busy working! Me and my husband just love the show. I sure hope they keep it going !
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