Jewel goes undercover at L.A. karaoke bar

LOS ANGELES The singer sang her own songs, "Who Will Save Your Soul" and "Foolish Games." Astonished crowd members picked their jaws off the floor and cheered wildly. One person was heard comparing Karen to "an American Susan Boyle."

Unbeknownst to them, they had been victims of "undercover karaoke."

The act had been filmed by FunnyOrDie.com, the comedy video website co-founded by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. The video was posted Tuesday and was rapidly circulating online.

"I was a bit nervous to do this skit at first because I feared it would amount to little more than showing off some vocals, dressed as someone else," Jewel said in an e-mail. "I was worried it wouldn't be self-effacing enough."

Jewel walked onto the stage wearing a prosthetic nose, wig and glasses, and butt padding.

In the end, the singer-songwriter did reveal her true identity to the surprised audience.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.