By Mia Cestra
Photo: Chappell Roan at Lollapalooza via Instagram @deaniechen
There are two distinct groups of people right now: those who have had plenty of exposure to this queer pop superstar, and those who have absolutely no idea who Chappell Roan is. Regardless of where you fall, I am here to start a conversation about this modern icon for both the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike. Let’s dive into what Chappell Roan has brought to the music scene since her emergence:
Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, professionally known as Chappell Roan, was born and raised in Willard, Missouri, where she claimed to have had a difficult time fitting in as a queer teenager in a small, conservatively Christian city. After getting signed by Atlantic Records at the age of 17, Amstutz chose the stage name “Chappell Roan” to honor her late grandfather, Dennis Chappell, and his favorite song, “The Strawberry Roan” by Marty Robbins. Fun fact: her stage name was almost “Delila Ritter” as a homage to one of her favorite places: Ritter Springs Park in Springfield, Missouri.
Her music draws inspiration from 80s synth pop and hits from the late 2000s/early 2010s, as her discovery of pop sensations like Katy Perry, Kesha, and Lady Gaga inspired her early sound. Moving to Los Angeles in 2018 to fully pursue her music career strengthened Roan’s confidence, despite the initial challenges of leaving her childhood behind, including missing events like prom and high school graduation. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Roan discussed how she felt like she could finally come out and live proudly as a queer woman for the first time after moving to L.A.: “I feel allowed to be who I want to be here. That changed everything.”
For many young, queer people, it can be difficult at first to fully embrace who you are, especially when you come from a hometown that does not accept you. For Chappell Roan, leaving that bubble was crucial to her pursuit of finding her music and herself. At only 26 years old, she embodies a story of perseverance and the drive to stay true to oneself, no matter what. In September of 2023, her first album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, was released. At the end of February 2024, Chappell Roan began opening for Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour. These events drastically increased the number of people exposed to Roan in an alarmingly short amount of time. Fans are captivated by her unapologetic need to be bold– from her striking makeup to her vibrant attire and her fiery personality– that is so captivating it is impossible to look away.
On February 21, two days before her first opening performance for the GUTS tour, Roan sat at 1.5 million monthly streamers on Spotify. As of a mere eight months later, she now has 45.6 million monthly Spotify listeners. Though Olivia Rodrigo’s large-scale performances put millions of new eyes on her, Roan’s charming style and charismatic performances are what have truly launched this Midwest princess into full-blown relevancy, seemingly overnight. Her most popular songs at the moment seem to be “Casual,” “Red Wine Supernova,” “HOT TO GO!” and her latest release, “Good Luck, Babe!” If you are unfamiliar with Roan’s discography (or even if you are intensely familiar), I will give you a breakdown of these songs.
“Casual” is a testament to the reality of modern-day dating for many young people; a low-effort “situationship” being preferred over a dedicated relationship (even if all the pieces are there besides the label itself). The song is a plea to Roan's lover as she discusses these pieces, begging the question, “Is it casual now?” amidst explicit details of the relationship that make Roan (and the audience) sure that the love was far more intimate than her partner wishes to believe. The song is emotional and sung in a Lana Del Rey-esque style that leaves one sighing longingly by the end.
“Good Luck, Babe!” is different because it is not included on her album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Instead, it is her most recent single, released Apr. 5, and represents a potential new chapter in Roan’s music. Shortly after its release, the song gained immense popularity, and for good reason. “Good Luck, Babe!” tells the story of letting a lover go, who is deeply in denial about their sexuality and knowing it is the right decision, but also feeling sorry for this person. She wishes this person well, but knows that one day they will wake up in bed next to a husband and wish they had done things differently. The song has caught the attention of many queer listeners who have also interpreted this song as a letter to their past selves, the shoulder angel of a young, queer person navigating the hardships of heteronormativity and denial. Overall, the song packs a punch and definitely calls for reflection after that first listen.
“Red Wine Supernova” is an upbeat, raunchy song that you may consider playing while getting ready for a night out on the town. In an interview with Flood Magazine, Roan recalls that she “needed a campy gay girl song that captured the magic of having feelings for another girl,” and this is evident from the bubbly energy and witty flirting that carries through from the beginning of the song to the very end. Roan wanted this song to feel like getting drunk and flirting with a girl across the bar!
“HOT TO GO!” is an arguably more upbeat song that is perfect for when you are desperate for a dance break. There is a viral dance that goes along with the song, taught by Roan herself at her shows before performing the tune. This song explores Chappell Roan’s self-love and unbridled joy to be herself. It is an ode to feeling hot and not being ashamed of showing it off. The repeated spelling of “H-O-T T-O G-O” throughout the song gives this beat a fun, high school cheerleader feel, leaving listeners energized and ready to let loose on the dance floor.
Now that you have an acute understanding of Roan’s rise to fame, my question now is: Could the same unapologetic boldness that launched Roan into relevance also become her downfall? In recent months, the newfound popstar has found herself in hot water more than once for her unwavering self-preservation as her fame continues to skyrocket. In case you are unaware, let’s go through the three main controversies that Roan has been caught up in over the last six weeks:
The 8/19 Tiktoks
On Aug. 19, Chappell Roan posted two Tiktoks to her account of nearly 4 million followers, setting boundaries with her fans about harassment and stalking: “I don’t care that this crazy type of behavior comes along with the job… I don’t want whatever the f— you think you’re supposed to be entitled to whenever you see a celebrity. I don’t give a f— if you think it’s selfish of me to say no for a photo, for your time, or for a hug.” Some fans called attention to the importance of a celebrity addressing the phenomenon of “creepy behavior” being an expected aspect of fame. Others felt Roan’s expression was harsh and scornful to all fans of hers, not just those pushing boundaries. This controversy began the conversation of whether or not Roan is suited for the bright spotlight she has placed herself under.
Refusal of Endorsement
A month later, on Sept. 20, Chappell Roan was questioned in an interview with The Guardian about whether she plans to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. This question arose after Harris used Roan's song "Femininomenon" in a recent campaign video. Additionally, there has been speculation about the design of a camouflage hat created for Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, which appears to draw inspiration from Roan's merchandise. Other notable celebrities like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish have publicly endorsed the vice president, so fans naturally began to wonder about Chappell Roan’s stance. She responded in the interview, “I have so many issues with our government in every way. There are so many things that I would want to change. So I don’t feel pressured to endorse someone. There’s problems on both sides.” While some fans agreed with her lack of endorsement, many began to criticize Roan for her supposed “neutral” stance, calling the pop artist “uneducated” and “cowardly,” according to The Guardian. In an attempt to clear her name, Roan took to TikTok to address these accusations made against her: “I have encouraged people to use critical thinking skills, learn about what they’re voting for, learn about who they’re voting for and ask questions– and it’s being completely taken out of context.” Ironically, that TikTok led to further pushback and arguments on the matter, causing Roan to follow up with a second TikTok: “Yeah, I’m voting for f— Kamala, but I’m not settling for what has been offered because that’s questionable.”
Dropping out of All Things Go Music Festival
On Sept. 27, Roan took to Instagram a day before she was scheduled to perform at the All Things Go music festival in Columbia, Maryland and New York City to announce she would be dropping out: “I apologize to people who have been waiting to see me in NYC & DC this weekend at All Things Go, but I am unable to perform. Things have gotten overwhelming over the past few weeks and I am really feeling it.” Once again, the announcement elicited mixed reactions from fans, with some expressing support while others voiced disappointment. The debate over Chappell Roan's suitability for life in the limelight continues to gain traction as the star grapples with the pressures and new responsibilities pulling her in every direction.
Whew! Now you’re all caught up. Chappell Roan’s journey from insecure teen to burlesque glamor icon, I anticipate her name will continue to be a hot topic in the media. Her songs are a testament to good, old-fashioned fun—when they aren’t absolutely devastating and prompting you to rethink your love life, that is. As she navigates the challenges of fame, fans can expect more bold performances and heartfelt lyrics that resonate deeply. With each new release, Roan is sure to keep us engaged, proving that her evolution as an artist is just beginning. Whether she’s dazzling on stage or sharing her experiences off it, her rise to fame is truly a “Femininomenon.”
“If it’s not bold, if it’s not ruffling feathers, what’s the point?” - Chappell Roan
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