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Little Gem
Singer/songwriter Jewel is bigger than Boyzone in the States. Over here she's just the girl with the hippie name, but that is about to change...
Jewel's fans have websites called things like My Shrine For Worshipping Jewel and Jewel Saves My Soul. In fact, they're more than fans, they're disciples. Y'see, although 25-year-old Jewel Kilcher is almost unheard of over here, in the US she's a superstar.
Her debut album, Pieces Of You, has sold over 10 million copies and she's also written a book of poems called A Night Without Armour. But it wasn't always this way. Jewel was brought up on a farm in Alaska and by 18 had discovered her 'voice' and moved to California where she played her guitar in small clubs for not much money. In fact, times were so tough she spent a year living on carrot sticks and peanut butter while she waited for her big break.
Now, Jewel's also about to launch an acting career - but she won't be treading the boards in some amateur production, she's snagged one of the lead roles in Ride With The Devil co-starring Skeet Ulrich and Jonathan Rhys Meyer. The film is set during the American Civil War and Jewel's costume consisted of a corset, three petticoats and a big wool skirt. "I couldn't bend at the waist, which made getting on and off the horse in a ladylike fashion difficult," she explains. Surely being in close proximity to all those gorgeous young actors must have made it worthwhile? Jewel ain't biting, she's already learnt how to dodge questions. "Skeet's been really supportive," she says. "All the guys have been... very patient." Darn.
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