Jill Sobule House Fire Death: Singer of ‘Supermodel’

Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel,” has died at the age of 66. Her manager John Porter told The Hollywood Reporter Sobule died in a house fire Thursday. “Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture. I was having so much fun working with her,” Porter said in a statement. “I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory and legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”

Sobule’s ironic-yet-whimsical songs were perfect for the early 90’s. “I Kissed a Girl” is often considered the first openly queer love song to break the Billboard Top 20. She identified as bisexual, and her “I Kissed a Girl” is much less ambivalent about the experience than Katy Perry’s. Sobule’s second single, “Supermodel,” was included in the Clueless soundtrack. It plays when Brittany Murphy’s character, Tai, gets a makeover from Cher (Alicia Silverstone) and Dionne (Stacey Dash). Sobule worked with artists and performers ranging from X’s John Doe, to SNL alum Julia Sweeney, to Emma Roberts during her Nickelodeon days. Her autobiographical musical, F*ck 7th Grade, was nominated for a Drama Desk award. The show’s original cast recording will come out June 6. The show she was set to perform in Denver Friday night will now be an impromptu memorial.