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
Jewel left Alaska years ago. Now I think she is the one trying to use the show. I had not known she was related until I was looking up the show on line. She wasn’t even on the mothersday special. That leads me to belive that they don’t see each other much.
I think the Kilcher family has made a name for themselves without using Jewel. Not many people even knew she was a part of the family. Wonderful show.
I never took the show at face value but I find it entertaining.
I am not a Jewel fan however a huge fan of ATLF.
Even if the family doesn’t need the money, they are a great example of why people go off-grid or choose to live a life style that of which they are doing. I see the show and family as trend setters. People are getting sick of working just to “live” and going back to simpler lives. I know many young people who are in college now and they don’t want to live in big huge mansions or be house poor for 30 years.
Hopefully the show stays on, according to this thread there sure is a lot of fans!
I have been watching that show since the first episode and there has never been so much as a mention of Jewel . I never would have known they were family to Jewel until reading this article . I also don’t believe they tried to cash in on her fame
I thought Jewell was a struggling singer/songwriter who was homeless when she was discovered. I am pretty sure that was the story when she arose from obscurity. It was a rags to riches story. Was that all a farce? Anyone have some info on that?
Along with most others, I also had no idea of the connection between Jewel and her family in Alaska, that is until I actually saw her and her father Atz Kilcher singing the show’s title song together – she proudly introduced him as her father and spoke fondly of her childhood. I LOVE the series “Alaska, The Last Frontier” and appreciate that these families allow us to share the beauty of the place they live. Mostly though, I’m thankful for how encouraged and grateful they’ve collectively reminded us to be.
Love this show. Nice to see folks with money living a lifestyle that is respectful….not like the Real Housewives who wouldn’t know what its like to shop at Krogers and buy clothes at Kohls. Just because you have money, doesn’t mean you have to show it off. Used to wait on a fella that was a multimillionaire. He looked like any blue collar worker, lived in a modest house. His wife used coupons at the grocery, but they were always there to lend a hand if a neighbor had a need. Why do some folks find that lifestyle choice so hard to believe?
I love the show! I had no idea Jewel was Atz’s daughter or Atz Lee’s sister. I just hope they keep the show going. Obviously the family has a lot to do with Alaska’s history. Somebody had to, why not them?
I love the show????? What is the cost of living in alaska I thank it very costly .and the shorter times of day and night I thank it can be hard. I’m 60 and as a kid are times were hard so this show take me back to my childhood I thank that what thay try to do I will keep watching .and thay do live in a dark remote place just sayin
There is a very simple explanation for why Jewel is not on the show. She’s a famous celebrity/musician and would have to be paid accordingly. It’s a low-budget reality show. That’s not a slam on her or her family.
And if she was upset about the show, why would she have recorded the theme song with her father?
My daughter and I just stumbled upon this show on Netflix yesterday. We homeschool, and I was looking for a new documentary to watch and I thought this sounded interesting since it’s in a reality tv style format. We’ve watched two episodes now, and I love it! I had absolutely no idea these people were related to Jewel until just now when I googled them. From an educational point of view I think this show is fascinating! My daughter can learn so much from them, and I’m really enjoying it myself. I’m so glad they decided to do a show about people like this, living off the land and trying to survive. I can’t wait to catch up on all the episodes!
Love the Kilchers, my Girl Scouts are huge “Eve” fans :) Never heard Jewel mentioned, did not know who sang the theme until I watched the credits :) Great song, great family, so happy about little Findley!!!
I had no idea Jewel was related to this family. I love this show.
Odd, I started watching ALFT because of seeing Jewel on a tv show where she said to be sure to watch her families new show about their life in Alaska. Loved it ever since.
who’s jewel? and how can they be “cashing in” on her name when I have never heard of her??? LOVE the show!!!
I had never heard of Jewel but I have loved Alaska, The Last Frontier since it started. Of course it is TV but I enjoy looking for the clues on the show that they bought the plants for the garden in a store, etc. But what nice people and georgeous scenery.
Its obvious that the person who wrote this (hopefully damaging) article, is one of those who in his late 20’s to early 30’s found out that Santa Claus and Harry Potter arent real !!!! It put that person into such a psychological quandary and deep depression, that now their goal in life is to try to pop other peoples balloons and try to shatter their worlds also, by trying to prove that reality shows arent really “reality”! Guess what “dumb-a$$”, people who watch reality shows are actually smart enough to know that the plot and story-line have been somewhat enhanced in order to be more entertaining…….. Now go home to Mama and cry some more, asking her “how could the world be so cruel to me?”, and beg for another Prozac to subdue your pains from learning that Santa and Harry Potter arent for real ~ Oh and folks, dont forget , if you read it on the internet, it just HAS TO BE TRUE !!! LOL
I find it odd that with 5 daughter’s and mothers of the nephew never being mentioned. Even the song is “fathers,sons” no mothers ,sisters,daughter’s…..but then grandpa was a little creepy.
I am a huge fan of Alaska TLF and frankly I would be embarrassed to admit Jewel was my family member. She always complains she had a horrible life and lived in her car. She sounds like Kermit the frog. Her Snaggle tooth? No one cares she’s related that’s why no one knew before this story.
If Jewel is so against the show, why did she co-write & sing with her father Atz on the Theme Song for the show? I loved them for most of all tge episodes & only mafe the connection of her being family when I saw a book about her & her family & then noticed her name as co-writer of that Theme Song. They aren’t “cashing” in on anything in my opinion, I doubt this article is truly her opinion either. She has always presented herself as much more respectful than that. And…. I LOVE THE SHOW & IT’S CAST & IT’S CONTENT!! Go Kilchers! (All of them)
It is a great show with great people. My father-in-law lives 20 miles from our town . He has lived without electricity (has a generator) and in-door plumbing for many years. He retired 30 years ago from his town job and chose to live as a trapper, handyman. He is nearly 80 and has only one leg (recently lost to diabetes ). He still lives all alone in the bush because he chooses to. He is the real deal, just as I think this family is. I just wanted to say that just because “civilization” is close does not mean people cannot live a life close to nature. Best of luck to them.
As for what this family is being accused of, I have to disagree. Jewel actually wanted them to sign up on Bravo and they said no. She was on a show on Bravo and if anything it would be the other way around. I’ve read up a lot of their history and watched her interviews. She mentions them more now but ofcourse, who wouldn’t. As long as they love each other that is what matters. I remember one article mentions Atz Lee calling her about cameras and she didn’t know about the show then she was pushing for them to have Bravo not Discovery. I’m glad they did as Bravo is a total different world than Discovery or the Kilcher family!
Personally, I have just stumbled on the show and have watched almost all of them greedily. I love the discovery and nat geo and history channels, most of the shows on tv are crap. Even if so and so has a drink too many ( btw she herself said she escapes it as much as possible because it can wear on you especially women, and look at the statistics of alcohol and substance abuse even amongst natives, in Alaska. I couldn’t do it) it doesn’t change the fact that discovery is showing us another alternative way of life. They all freely mention that they have many interests OUTSIDE of Alaska, in every episode really and don’t claim to be TRAPPED. I’m sure they also have hired hands to help out. However, do all of us get a sense of betrayal or appreciation for being allowed to take part of a beautiful idea of a possibility and pride in land. Alaska is incredible and no one there ever take things like nature for granted because even in Homer McDonalds with all the trimmings, you can Still die in a blizzard! Kudos to the Kilchers for their values, view points, traditions good or bad or ugly I still intend to watch it. It’s beautiful. :) go Alaska
Wish we had a dose of the kilcher wisdom year round. Best show ever that has touched the core of mankind.
The shows success in no way hinges on the fact of jewel being atz Sr. Daughter jewel. They have a healthy ongoing relationship. So whoever wrote this article should leave well enough alone. Many have grown to love and respect the kilcher family and they’ve brought much joy and hope into many people’s life’s.
They never claimed to be poor. They just choose to live off the land. My husband and I do much the same thing but I still have modern conveniences like all clad pots, and LL Bean boots. Doesn’t take away that we grow 90% of our veggies, and barter for meat when we don’t hunt.
has anyone noticed eve has a complete set of le creuset pots in her “kitchen”? they clearly arent hurting for money if they can afford that
Whatever anyone thinks, they’re an awesome family who are there for each other. They may live close to civilization but choose to also live off the land. Nothing wrong with hunting, OR getting your nails done in town. I’m sure when Disc was looking for a family they did their research and found the one who was most credible and worthy of our interest. Chill out everyone, if you feel it’s fake, take a field trip up to MN. for a year. It’s as close to Alaska (without the endless sun, or endless darkness), then tell everyone how fake it is. End of the day, all these people have been elsewhere in the world, for education, curiosity, escape, vacation, whatever reasons but they returned to their roots and are back in Alaska now. that IS the last frontier! Everywhere in the lower states most of your predators are human; up there, lets just say…… it takes a special breed of people to deal with those elements. I’ve got nothing but respect for them!
This article is way off. I have seen Jewel on stage with her father Atz. She says that the people from Discovery had no idea that the Kilchers were her family. Infact she had her camp contact them to make sure that her family was not getting a bad deal. She also co-wrote the theme song for the show and sings it with her father Atz.