Jon Bon Jovi helps woman in crisis off bridge ledge in Nashville
Editor's note: This story contains descriptions of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
A woman who was standing on the ledge of a pedestrian bridge in Nashville, Tennessee was helped by Jon Bon Jovi, who was shooting a music video in the area.
Video footage of the incident shared by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department shows a woman in blue clothes on the ledge of the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Nashville Tuesday with her arms wrapped around its railing when she is approached by Bon Jovi and a member of his team, who were walking along the bridge.
Watch rocker help save woman in crisis on Nashville bridge
The two stopped near the woman and started talking to her with the woman accompanying Bon Jovi occasionally rubbing the other woman's back. A few moments later, Bon Jovi and his team member help the woman over the guardrails back onto the bridge. The Grammy-winning singer continues to talk to the woman before giving her a big hug and offering her what appeared to be reassurances.
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Nashville police thank Jon Bon Jovi
While the video has since been removed from YouTube for violating community guidelines, the Nashville police department reposted it on Facebook and gave the legendary rockstar a shoutout.
"Another shoutout to Jon Bon Jovi and his #Nashville act of kindness since #Youtube removed the video," the police department wrote in the caption. "ICYMI: He and his team helped persuade a woman her to come off the ledge of the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, over the Cumberland River, to safety."
"It takes all of us to help keep each other safe," said Nashville police chief John Drake said on social media.
The bridge is named after the legendary Tennessean editor John Seigenthaler, who prevented a man from jumping off the bridge in the 1950s when he was a reporter. The Tennessean is part of the USA TODAY NETWORK.
Bon Jovi in Nashville to film 'The People's House' video
Bon Jovi was filming a music video for his song “The People’s House” on the bridge, which remained open to the public during the shoot, when the incident took place.
The rockstar declined to comment on the incident out of respect for the private citizen who experienced a moment of crisis and needed support.
JBJ Soul Foundation
Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea, are founders of the JBJ Soul Foundation, which routinely helps people in times of crisis from hunger to homelessness, and the singer has had training in speaking to individuals during difficult situations. Earlier this year, the singer was honored as the 2024 MusiCares Person Of The Year for his "impactful philanthropic work" through his foundation.
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation was set up in 2006 and is committed to disrupting the cycle of hunger, poverty and homelessness. The foundation's mission is "to recognize and maximize the human potential in those affected by hunger, poverty and homelessness by offering assistance in establishing programs that provide food and affordable housing while supporting social services and job training programs," according to its website.
The foundation "has helped provide support for almost 1,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in 12 states for thousands of people including youth and veterans," the website says, adding that it now operates three JBJ Soul Kitchens in New Jersey, providing "a warm, nutritious meal" to those in need.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.