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.”
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121 Responses
I had absolutely no idea Jewel was even related to these folks til today when a friend told me . I think the article is false regarding Jewel being upset because the family is cashing in on her name. Now I’ve watched this show since the beginning & haven’t ever heard her name mentioned, so that’s a false statement. And I didn’t even know it was Jewel & her dad singing the theme song so appearantly she’s not upset. I love both Jewel & her family!!!
I was raised in Alaska and my folks were friends with Atz Kilcher and his wife who used to perform in Anchorage. In fact we went to watch them one time when I was a teenager and they had their baby daughter with them. I held her on my lap for about 15 minutes. I remembered they called her Jewel. Later after Jewel got famous I would tell people that Jewel Kilcher hugged me, of course omitting the fact she was about eight months old at the time. I had a cassette tape of songs by Atz Kilcher and they had two songs I rally loved. Matanuska Gold and Little Man. I would love the have a copy of those songs now. I enjoy the TV show just for life lessons and the ingenuity they show. If they made money off of the success of the show then good for them. That is the American dream.
Why do people always feel “betrayed” when they figure out half this stuff is either untrue or exaggerated? It’s entertainment! I don’t like the ones that are total lies like that Alaskan Bush People show but I’ve liked Last Frontier since it started. It’s relaxing to watch, I don’t care if they have a Walmart 10 miles away or whatever, they show interesting stuff.
This article pisses me off. If you watch Jewel and her Dad Atz Kilcher sing the theme song of Alaska the Last Frontier, it is obvious that she has no problem with them filming the show. As a matter of fact, she hooked them up with her own agent, to do the negotiating of their contract with Discovery. Listen to her and her Dad spin their tales and sing the theme song from Alaska The Last Frontier. Here’s the link
https://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/alaska-the-last-frontier/videos/jewel-atz-sing-theme-song/
Nothing but love hope to meet the family some day
wow! This article has been floating around since 2012! I too, think this article is crap. Jewel, when finding out the family was going to do the show, made sure they had an agent so that they wouldn’t be taken advantage of. I just wish I had the power to delete the darn thing!
he show is mostly deception toward the naïve people who whatch and give them ratings and make the more money. Atz’s net worth is over 5$Mill, Brother Otto’s is over $4 mill. Atz lee and Jane don’t even live there with there two kids (Atien Boy and Girl ?). The Kilcher bush wilderness Home has a Beautiful custom Log lodge at the beginning of the property, min. 2 night stay at $495 with every modern amenity possible. The Kilcher the property farmhouse with outhouses has power, phone, cable and Internet. In a 20 minute walk from the beginning of Kilcher rd. Is a lovely restaurant and several bed and breakfasts, air strips. In a 15 minute ride your in a town. That 30 mile ocean shorey cattle drive is hilarious, it’s 12 miles to the Head of the Bay to the Fox River and guess what, from Kilcher Rd. you can drive onto East Shore Rd. all the way to the head of the Bay. Every thrilling adventure they attempt is just for footage to make a show. At’z really was a performer and spent the 50’s and 60’s touring and playing music with family all over Europe and Alaska. It’s all like watching wrestling BS. Keep watching and you know the old saying, “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer” oh , and Atz’s daughter Jewel famous singer songwriter who is net worth close to $100Mill, but in the show’s contract she made sure her name can’t be used. Rich Greedy People
I get a kick out of this program. Don’t get me wrong people, but don’t confuse wisdom with plain old common sense. Yes, Atz and his family do some creative things, but so many people are 2 and 3 generations off of the family farm/ranch. Those folks just think differently. People who still make a living off of the land, even in the lower 48 have to use common sense to survive. Call it wisdom, but I call it everyday common sense….. (my only complaint is Otto and his cattle operation. Someone needs to teach him how to use the ear tagger!)
In the beginning credits, the theme sing is sung by Jewel and get father, Atz Sr. So she must not be too upset.
I take issue with most of what this silly article says. Great show. I didn’t know who Jewel was until I Googled who the intro music was performed by. Jewel and her dad, Atz, wrote and perform the music. Didn’t sound like she is too upset with Discovery. The author of this article is clearly just trying to stir controversy to get people to read this article. It worked, I guess but what a load of *******.
She did not spurn Discovery, she actually help to write the theme song for the show along with her father. Wow, what a totally inaccurate article. If the family wanted to cash in they would mention her name every episode. Please remove this dishonest article.
..This show makes me feel like I am home. I have never roped a cow, made homemade soap, raised chickens, gutted a cow, had a garden, etc etc. Wish I was in better health because I would go visit that family to tell them what joy they give me for the honest down to earth people they all are. Jewel is Atzas daughter and so what???? I watch the family because I enjoy the company. I am not bothered with the trivial facts of who gets along with who or what was said. Grow up people and if you can not say something nice, then do not watch it.
Considering the show and the family have never once mentioned the fact that they are related to Jewel, i wouldn’t quite say that they are cashing in. If they are cashing in, it is because it’s a really nice show about an awesome, honest family that i think millions of people envy. wishing their family lived like that.
This “writer” had to use a dishonest headline to get people to read this terrible article.
The show and Jewel are both great. They have nothing to do with one another and that is just a fact. If I ever see another story by Spy Vondega I will make sure to skip it.
Clown.
Love, love, love the show! I do not live in the US (I live in Switzerland), so only came upon the show a few months ago, but have now managed to get all of the back episodes (and am now half way through season 3).
The author of the article was either badly informed (and is a lousy writer for not doing background research), or has an axe to grind with the Kilchers. The family did not use Jewel’s fame to get their show started, and she has never been upset with them about the show. I think Stellavera pretty much set everyone straight.
Anyway, bless them all for living life the way they want to live it – and keep the shows coming!
Didn’t know that Jewel was a Kiltcher. I’ve always loved the reality show, watching it now in fact . They probably have some sort of job that pays actual money, but who cares. I think this is how they live and what they love.
I may be out of touch with the rest of the world, but until this show I did not know there was a Jewel. I had never heard of her before. I only learned of her and her music after watching the show for a season.
Keep in mind, they aren’t allowed to mention her name if she hasn’t given them the right to do say. The show doesn’t mention the names of Atz Lee’s children either..they keep them private and they choose not to have them on the show. Also, who cares if they are cashing in on being related to Jewel? They are interesting people too and their way of living is becoming very trendy and I find it somewhat informative. For all we know Jewel encouraged them to do the show…who knows if the writer of the article even knows anything about their situation at all.
I have watched the show from the beginning and like everyone else no mention of Jewel! I happen to be a fan of her music! Seems to me there needs to be a meeting of the minds of Jewel and her family! It seems to me they go out of the way to protect her and seem to go out of the way to protect any unwanted connection between the show and her career! It’s a shame though after watching a video of them performing together! They might want to consider making the connection official, which might increase interest in both the the show and her career! Seems the talent in the family heretofore unknown to fans in general would very very exciting!
I think it’s hilarious this article is trying to say that the family is capitalizing on Jewel’s fame. The only reference at all is that she co-wrote the title and sings it with her dad. But they don’t even mention in the show that Atz is singing it. Here’s the truth of Jewel’s involvement. She heard they had been approached to do a reality show, so she put them in contact with her agent because she wanted to make sure they were treated fairly. She didn’t even know about the show until after the fact. And yes, the Kilchers are millionaires and yes, they only live a few miles from Homer; but so what? I think that says tons about their character and authenticity. Obviously, they’ve lived this lifestyle for decades before they acquired the money and I think it’s admirable they haven’t moved off the homestead and headed to Hollywood!!! They have chosen this lifestyle and even have outhouses, for heaven sake!!! Now I’m quite sure if their hunting was not successful, of course they’d head to McDonalds before they would let their children starve; but I also believe they would first do everything in their power to “live off the land”. My husband and I live in the middle of a large town and are taking steps to live similarly to the Kilchers. No, I will never have an outhouse (eww) but we are striving to produce as much of our own food as possible. I love the show and I love the Kilchers. Oh and one last thing–right after Finley was born, Eve was very obviously nursing him on camera. How cool is that? How many times have you ever seen that on TV? I love them even more for that one show.
I love this show….No offense, but I didn’t even know who Jewel was…I’d never heard of her music….But, I behind to listen to the into song for the opening of the show and wondered if Nyone on the show was singing it…and Bam…come to find out it was Atz Sr. Daughter….who just happen to be famous like all of the Kiltchers…..I love this Kiltcher family…….I would never dream of the Alaska lifestyle at my age,but, two of my siblings out if ten children lived in Kodiak and Holmer, Wassila, Anchorage….etc. My Mother and Father went there to visit many times before they passed and loved the beautiful sites…..But, I’m definitely a lower 48 gal ;) / But, these people are just the bomb. I love following then through their days…..I said all of that to say this…..I had never even knew of A girl named Jewel…..??? They earned my respect all on their own …they didn’t need anyone to give them a leg up…these are smart people. Worth 5 million …I mean really…come on? Love them and now that I’ve heard her she is blessed with a unique voice and I love to hear her and the Father sing the theme song…She’s blessed to have a Father like him…..and her heritage! <3
Too bad the writer decided to grind his axe on one of the better “Reality” TV shows around. As with all entertainment I’m certain there’s a lot of creative license involved. As far as it goes, the show is high quality and a great way to enjoy a little “what if I could” dreaming.
My problem with the show is the dishonesty, they talk like “if we don’t get enough meat for the winter we’ll go without” and yet Otto and Atz are both millionaires. They can drive to Homer and have a steak dinner anytime they want. Just be a little more honest and you have a good show.
Wow so that’s Jewel’s dad? And they sang that song together? That’s awesome! Good for them :) that Atz has a heck of a lot of great wisdom as does Otto. We are raising free range kids in Australia ( home educating), and hope to be almost 100% self sufficient within the next couple of years. Who gives a rat’s if they have electricity? I love that are still macgyvering as much as possible even if they do have a fat bank balance. The cash isn’t the point. Its the difference between buying cage eggs or growing your own chickens with organic produce to make healthy free range eggs. It’s reducing your carbon foot print, its about being real, family, etc etc. We live on a property, within a 5 minute drive to shopping centres etc but we choose the alternative for a reason. Isn’t that what we are all trying to do? Great show, thoroughly entertaining! Haters go watch the Kardashians, there’s the fakery lol
I love this show The kilchers are great it’s nice to see family’s living off the land It reminds me of how times must have been along time ago. More people should live like this no cell phones video games etc. I live in the northeast kingdom of Vermont and love the quiet watching the moose deer bear that are part of my property. No noise traffic lights. This is the life
I had no clue the jewel was even related to them. And I didn’t see or hear anything from the show that showed they were using her fame. If they are canceling the show b/c of her that really sucks. Because this is the first show in a long time that I actually LOVE. And jewel having anything to do with the show or not wouldn’t bother me one bit. you wouldn’t even know they are related.
The Kilcher family has been one of Alaska’s highest profile families for 75 years. To make a claim the the Kilcher family is playing off Jewels fame is ridiculous at best. I’ve met Jewel and she is a really down to Earth person. It’s her mother Lenedra who turns her nose at the rest of the family at times and is probably the one who suggested the family is sucking fame from Jewel. From family sources I know that Lenedra has been very controlling of Jewel. She divorced Jewel’s father Atz Kilcher when Jewel was only 8 years old. She fights to do all she can to keep Jewel distanced from the Kilcher side of the family. There is much more to this story, but I am sworn to secrecy on some aspects. The entire family are just like they are portrayed on the TV show, except that they do own some modern cars that producers ask them to park out of sight of the cameras, typically behind the barns. The Kilcher family, led by the late Yule Kilcher was of significant importance to Alaska long before Jewel was even a twinkle in Atz’s eye.
I watch the show its a great show alot of you say you watch every show and never heard them mention Jewell well you should pay more attention because otto has mentioned her a few times pay attention peps
I don’t believe that Jewel is so self-centered that she believes the entire Kilcher family is riding on her coat tails. She knows she owes her own success to the hard work of her father and support of her family. She couldn’t possibly so egotistical to believe that this all centers around her career. Her Grandfather was a state senator.
I never heard of this person (Jewls) I didn’t even know they had a daughter. She sounds very selfish n jealous of her familys fame. Shame on her. What is her problem?