Who is Chappell Roan? 

The 26-year-old singer and songwriter has repeatedly said she’s “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.”  Already a veritable queer music icon after the fantastic year she’s had, much of Roan’s work has 70s, 80s 90s, and 2000s undertones, and she dabbles in sounds inspired by punk rock and hip-hop. 

She skyrocketed toward fame over the summer of 2024, after releasing her single “Good Luck Babe!” in April. She eventually reached the Billboard Top 100, reaching the position of number four. She immediately followed the hit song’s debut with an ‘80s-inspired set at Coachella. Videos of the performance soon took over the internet. 

By autumn, the same crowd that adored her at the beginning of her breakout year began to critique her mannerisms, interactions, and use of the platform that came along with her newfound fame. 

Most of her music is about queer relationships, “situationships,” and lust. This theme comes from sheltering her identity for so long in her hometown, and then moving to a place where she can be open and proud despite others’ disapproval. Many people related to her story, and found comfort in her music. Other listeners and fans applauded her journey, while not fully connecting with her lyrics on a personal level.. 

It took around a year for one of her songs, “Hot To Go,” to hit the 80th spot on the Billboard Top 100, but within weeks, it skyrocketed to 15th. The song became a pop culture moment, with its catchy hook, matching dance, and lyrics that resonated with fans from all different walks of life. For a time, Chappell Roan was everywhere — on the radio, playlists, and huge stages. Her music was even featured in multiple different classrooms and work environments. At Dekalb School of the Arts, the song was the theme of one of their assemblies and was used for vocal and dance warmups. 

She fell right into the spotlight. Her music, confidence, and talent took the world by storm. Especially the LGBTQ+ community, as seen on TikTok. Many felt like she posed as a great icon for the community. She is perceived as someone who is not afraid to stand up to her family, stand against social norms, and always speak her mind was truly inspirational for many. As her adoring fandom grew, so did the pressure of maintaining a perfect, fun, unique persona. The same qualities everyone initially adored, such as her unfiltered personality and unapologetic approach to life, began to spark controversy.

Roan was never one to shy away from confrontation, but her interactions with fans became a point of contention. Viral videos emerged showing her visibly annoyed when approached for photos in public. Some fans defended her, arguing that she deserved personal boundaries, while others felt alienated, accusing her of forgetting the people who had propelled her to stardom. She posted a now deleted TikTok where she claimed that asking her to take photos with fans was just like asking a random stranger to do the same, which she said people would not normally do. She passionately talked about how it made her uncomfortable despite her fame.

Then came her social media posts about the 2024 election.

In an interview with The Guardian, she explained that she did not want to endorse either candidate and didn’t seem to understand the importance and impact of someone with a platform doing so. Many of her liberal fans requested that she endorse Kamala Harris, but she refused. She explained this in more detail in a TikTok, but she used a lot of profanity, and fans were not pleased. While some appreciated her voice, others criticized her for being out of touch or overly aggressive in her rhetoric. The backlash was swift and unforgiving.

Roan was initially pleased to receive global recognition, but during her rapid expansion, she cracked under the pressure and wasn’t quite sure how to handle everything.

Compounding her struggles, Roan began canceling shows with little notice due to “personal reasons.” Rumors swirled about her mental health, and she eventually addressed the issue directly in a tearful livestream, admitting that the pressure of fame had taken a toll on her well-being.

At a North Carolina concert, she shared how heavy her journey, saying she was having a very hard time.

While her vulnerability earned her sympathy from some, others were less forgiving. Fans who had traveled long distances and spent money on tickets felt betrayed by the last-minute cancellations. Critics argued that she wasn’t prepared for the realities of being in the spotlight.

Roan’s performances began to reflect her internal battles. Once known for her electrifying stage presence, she appeared to be distracted and disconnected during shows. Critics noted that her voice lacked its usual power, and her movements seemed half-hearted.

The contrast between the vibrant, confident persona she had projected during her rise and the visibly struggling performer she had become was stark. Her impact from late summer will forever be remembered and noted, as she truly helped many people. As fans and critics debated her downfall, one question lingered: Could she bounce back, or was this the end of Chappell Roan’s reign as the “Midwest Princess?” 

Cancel culture is prominent in this day and age, but celebrities can, and often do avenge their careers. The public is a tough critic, and to have every single action scrutinized under a microscope can’t be easy, especially when you have to adjust within weeks. Fame is not for everyone, but I think Chappell Roan still has a chance.

All hope for Roan is not lost as fans still adore her music, but they do have reasonable concerns. In order to fully repair her connection with her fans, I think she would have to work on being more approachable in the public eye and the way she carries her aggression. Although many like her unfiltered persona, others beg for media training as she is now a public figure. This would make a big impact, and after a lot of time, positive choices, and a kind attitude, she could go back to having a strong connection with her fans and being loved.