In the world of contemporary pop and theater, few artists possess the staying power of Sara Bareilles. From her breakout hit “Love Song” to her Tony-nominated score for Waitress and her acclaimed role in Girls5eva, Bareilles has consistently reinvented herself while maintaining a deeply authentic connection with her audience. As we look at her life her journey is marked by a significant personal milestone: her recent marriage to actor Joe Tippett, which has captivated fans who have followed their decade-long romance.
Does Sara Bareilles Support the LGBTQ+ Community?
Sara Bareilles is widely recognized as one of the most vocal and consistent allies in the music industry. Her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community is not just a modern trend but a lifelong mission rooted in her upbringing. Bareilles often refers to the queer community as her “chosen family,” noting that she grew up surrounded by gay “big brothers and sisters” who shaped her worldview.
Her 2013 hit “Brave” serves as a cornerstone of this advocacy. While it became a universal anthem for resilience, Bareilles originally co-wrote the song with Jack Antonoff as a “love letter” to a close friend struggling to come out. Over the years, she has performed at numerous Pride events and consistently used her platform to speak out against discriminatory legislation, particularly targeting trans youth. Most recently, in April 2026, she helped amplify the Christopher Street Project’s fundraising campaign, helping reach over a million people in support of trans safety and dignity.
The Elton John Connection: High Praise from a Legend
For any singer-songwriter who plays the piano, there is no higher validation than praise from Sir Elton John. The relationship between the two icons is built on mutual respect.
Elton John famously described Bareilles’ 2013 cover of his classic “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” as “brilliant” and “astounding,” noting that she completely transformed the song into her own.
The Rocketman was so impressed by her rendition—which she recast as a moody, stripped-down masterpiece at the Kennedy Center—that he reportedly told her another cover never needed to be made. Their bond was cemented further in 2014 when the two performed a stunning duet of her hit “Gravity” at a PBS special, a moment Bareilles often cites as a career highlight.
Marriage and Personal Life: Who is Sara Bareilles’ Husband?
For years, fans wondered if Bareilles would ever “write a love song” for herself. That chapter officially began on October 4, 2025, when Sara Bareilles married actor Joe Tippett in an intimate ceremony.
The couple’s love story is a quintessential Broadway “meet-cute.” They first met in 2015 during the out-of-town tryouts for the musical Waitress in Cambridge, Massachusetts. While Bareilles was the composer,
Tippett was cast as Earl, the moody husband of the protagonist Jenna. Ironically, while their on-stage characters had a tumultuous relationship, their off-stage connection flourished. They went public with their romance in 2017 and announced their engagement on New Year’s Day in 2023. Their wedding, described by Bareilles as a moment to be “rooted in joy,” was attended by many from the Broadway community, including stars like John Legend and Busy Philipps.
What Religion is Sara Bareilles?
Sara Bareilles was raised in a Catholic household in Eureka, California. While she has spoken about the values of compassion and acceptance she learned from her family, her relationship with organized religion has evolved into a more personal and spiritual journey.
In interviews, she has reflected on how her upbringing in an open-minded family helped her reconcile religious teachings with her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. Bareilles has occasionally critiqued elements of the Catholic Church, particularly calling for more emphasis on unconditional love. Her portrayal of Mary Magdalene in the 2018 television special Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert allowed her to explore these spiritual themes through a different lens, garnering her both Emmy and Grammy nominations.