Nashville’s Clare Bowen sings “Love Steps In” live at the Grand Ole Opry.
Clare Bowen’s career skyrocketed in 2012 when she landed the coveted series-regular role of Scarlett O’Connor on the hit TV show Nashville. Since, her talents in acting and singing have made her a fan favorite on the show, but her personality and strength in real life have made her an inspiration for many.
Growing up, Bowen was diagnosed with end-stage nephroblastoma at the age of 4. After a three-year battle, she emerged a cancer survivor, an inspiration, and a spokesperson for the disease.
Known for her long blond locks on Nashville, Bowen made the bold move to cut her hair as a representation of her journey through cancer treatment as a child.
“Every scar tells a story, every bald head, every dark circle, every prosthetic limb, and every reflection in a mirror that you might not recognize anymore. Look deeper than skin, hair, nails, and lips. You are who you are in your bones. That is where you have the potential to shine the brightest from. It is where your true beautiful self lives,” Bowen wrote on her Facebook page.
Bowen uses her star power to spread awareness and set an example for others, especially children with the same disease. Watch the video of her moving performance of “Love Steps In,” which she dedicates to her brother Timothy James, who Rolling Stone reported was diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma at age 25 in 2015.
Bowen's fiancé, fellow musician Brandon Robert Young, wrote the song (with friend Justin Halpin) for Tim after Clare and Brandon learned of her brother’s cancer diagnosis only days after becoming engaged at the Grand Ole Opry. Tim’s now in remission and is sure to be present at one or both of the couple’s two planned wedding ceremonies this fall: one in Bowen’s native Australia and the other in Nashville.
For more information on Bowen and her upcoming tour dates, visit her website.