Jill Sobule, the trailblazing singer-songwriter best known for her 1995 hit “I Kissed a Girl,” has tragically passed away at the age of 66 due to a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, on May 1, 2025. Local authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, which claimed her life as she was preparing to celebrate a significant career milestone with upcoming projects, including a 30th anniversary reissue of her self-titled album.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Sobule’s music career was marked by resilience and originality. After signing with MCA Records in 1990, she faced early setbacks, but her breakthrough came with “I Kissed a Girl,” which became the first openly LGBTQ-themed single to chart in the Billboard Top 20. The song’s playful yet emotional narrative resonated widely, making it a cultural touchstone of the 1990s.
Beyond her hit single, Sobule contributed significantly to pop culture, with her song “Supermodel” featured in the iconic film *Clueless*. Over her career, she released eight studio albums and tackled various themes, including LGBTQ+ identity, religion, and social issues, all while maintaining a unique blend of folk-pop storytelling and satire.
