Rock star Jon Bon Jovi intervened to assist a woman who was in distress on a bridge in Nashville this week, bringing a new significance to his message of “Keep the Faith.”
The Metro Nashville Police Department reported on Wednesday that Bon Jovi and his team successfully convinced the unidentified woman to step away from the ledge of the Cumberland River, ensuring her safety.
“It takes all of us to help keep each other safe,” commented Police Chief John Drake.
Although a video of the event originally surfaced, it has since been removed from YouTube. However, local media and fan accounts have shared clips which illustrate the incident that took place on the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge—a structure known for its stunning views of the Nashville skyline—on Tuesday night.
The 62-year-old musician was in Nashville filming a music video for his song “The People’s House” when he noticed a woman wearing blue, standing precariously on the outside ledge of the bridge. Aerial footage captured Bon Jovi and a member of his team approaching the woman, who was facing the river. He greeted her with a wave, which she reciprocated.
Bon Jovi then leaned over the railing to speak with her. Accompanied by a production assistant, they engaged in dialogue with the woman for several minutes. The assistant eventually placed a hand on her back and encouraged her to turn around to face the bridge. After further discussions, Bon Jovi and the assistant supported her as she stepped back over the railing to safety.
The two shared a few more exchanges and a heartfelt hug before leaving the bridge together shortly thereafter, as reported by NBC News.
Emergency services, including the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Nashville Fire Department, arrived after a witness alerted them to the situation, according to local station WSMV.
Bon Jovi’s representatives have indicated that he will not comment on the incident.
As a leading figure in rock music, Bon Jovi is best known as the frontman of the band Bon Jovi and has released numerous solo albums. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
Besides his music career, Bon Jovi is recognized for his philanthropic efforts. He established the JBJ Soul Foundation in 2006, which aims to support those impacted by hunger, poverty, and homelessness by providing resources for food, affordable housing, and social services.
Social media users have praised Bon Jovi for his actions during this incident, calling him a “hero” and a “saint.” This is not the first time he has gone viral for his compassionate acts; he previously gained attention in 2021 for washing dishes at one of his community restaurants in New Jersey during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interestingly, the bridge where this incident occurred was renamed in 2014 in honor of John Seigenthaler, a notable Tennessee journalist who saved a suicidal man on that same bridge during the 1950s.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or contemplating suicide, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 9-8-8, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.