Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, known for her hit songs “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel,” has died in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota. She was 66.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Sobule’s publicist announced her death on Thursday morning. The singer had been scheduled to perform her autobiographical one-woman musical, “F*ck7thGrade,” in Denver earlier this week but instead, a free informal gathering will be held in her honor.
Born on January 16, 1959, in Denver, Sobule rose to fame with her hit songs and later became an advocate for LGBTQ+ issues. Her music addressed topics such as bisexuality, body image, and social justice. Sobule was known for breaking down barriers for queer musicians, and her legacy will be remembered by fans around the world.
Sobule’s music career began in 1990 with her debut album “Things Here Are Different,” which included a single that received some radio play. Her second album catapulted her to greater heights, featuring hits like “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel.” Although Sobule was not pleased when Katy Perry covered her hit song, she acknowledged the impact of both versions.
The singer-songwriter is survived by her brother, James, and had been an outspoken advocate for various causes. GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis praised Sobule’s contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, saying she “literally created a path” for queer people in music.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/arts/music/jill-sobule-dead.html