Jill Sobule, singer of iconic '90s anthems 'I Kissed a Girl' and 'Supermodel,' dead at 66 in house fire
Share and Follow

MINNEAPOLIS, Mnn. — Jill Sobule, singer of 1995 hit tracks “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel,” has died at the age of 66.

Sobule died early Thursday morning in a house fire, according to a statement from her publicity firm.

It happened in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Denver-born singer’s song “I Kissed a Girl,” off of her 1995 self-titled album, became the first openly LGBTQ-themed song to chart on the Billboard Top 20.

She is perhaps best known for her single “Supermodel,” also off her self-titled album, which was her second. “Supermodel” was prominently featured in the popular 1995 movie “Clueless,” helping Sobule break through to the mainstream.

John Porter, Jill’s manager, said in a statement that Sobule was “a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture” and that he hopes her “music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”

Sobule’s musical career spanned over three decades, starting in the 1990s with her debut album “Things Here are Different,” which was produced by rock legend and record producer Todd Rundgren. The record was known for its track “Too Cool to Fall in Love.”

Her musical oeuvre includes 12 albums that take on issues including the death penalty, disordered eating and LGBTQ+ issues, among other topics. She performed with Neil Young, Cyndi Lauper and Tom Morello, among many others.

Sobule released her seventh studio album “California Years” in 2009 and then went on an extended break from releasing music. In 2018, she released what is now her final album, “Nostalgia Kills.”

“I was my own procrastinatrix, is what I call it,” she told Billboard in a 2018 interview about her long break between albums. “I started loving music again – loving listening, loving writing and the original spirit of why I did this in the first place, I suppose.”

Sobule added that she loved to perform, “and I love telling the stories of the songs.”

According to her website, Sobule was set to perform this weekend in Colorado, with further dates planned throughout the US into the summer and fall.

Her PR firm’s statement said there will be a formal memorial celebrating the singer’s life and legacy later this year.

Sobule is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, her nephews, cousins and friends.

(The-CNN-Wire & 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.)

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Trevor Lawrence runs for 2 scores as Jaguars close in on AFC South title with 23-17 win over Colts

Trevor Lawrence’s Dual Touchdowns Propel Jaguars Toward AFC South Crown in Victory Over Colts

With a decisive victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the Jacksonville Jaguars are…
Ski patrol staffer dies in avalanche at popular California resort

Tragic Avalanche Claims Life of Ski Patrol Staffer at Renowned California Resort

A ski patroller tragically lost his life after being engulfed by an…
'Diff'rent Strokes' actress Melanie Watson has died

Actress Melanie Watson of ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ Fame Passes Away

Melanie Watson, celebrated for her memorable role in the 1980s sitcom “Diff’rent…
Jimmy Kimmel says 'tyranny is booming' in US in 'alternative' Christmas message to UK

Jimmy Kimmel Critiques Rising ‘Tyranny’ in the US in Alternative Christmas Message to UK Audience

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel delivered a unique “Alternative Christmas Message” on Thursday aimed…
Update on girl, 13, who was shot in the face by her stepdad

Latest Developments on the 13-Year-Old Girl Injured in Shooting Incident Involving Her Stepfather

A teenage girl is fighting for her life after being shot in…
Russia strikes Ukraine ahead of Trump-Zelensky meeting

Russia’s Aggressive Move: Airstrikes in Ukraine Set the Stage for High-Stakes Trump-Zelensky Summit

In a series of early morning strikes on Ukraine, Russia has left…
The moon and sun figure big in the new year's lineup of cosmic wonders

Lunar and Solar Events Headline the New Year’s Spectacular Cosmic Lineup

Prepare for a celestial spectacle in 2026, as the moon and sun…
Grandma who beat cancer five times is gunned down on Christmas Day

Tragic Christmas Day: Inspirational Grandma, Cancer Survivor, Fatally Shot

Tragically, a seasoned survivor who had conquered cancer five times lost her…