Break-out artist Chappell Roan has amassed major popularity through her debut album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” which was released in September 2023 Roan started gaining popularity through touring with Olivia Rodrigo as an opener on her “GUTS” tour and Coachella performances.
In less than a year, Roan has become a major role model for young queer teenagers. Her music has made quite an impact on the queer community. Teens feel like they have someone to relate to since there aren’t that many queer role models from the rural parts of the Midwest. Many of her fans are drawn to her outfits and her catchy and unique songs. Roan built her brand on the flashy and campy outfits she wears while performing, which has set her apart from other musical artists.
Roan and her stylist Genesis Webb have said they want to pay homage to queer tastemakers to bring attention in her stage wear to queer creative styles that have been appropriated throughout the ages without credit. Some of her more notable outfits have taken inspiration from Divine in the short film Pinkflamingos by John Waters and drag artists GOTTMIK and Violet Chachki.
Her style was a pivotal aspect of her explosion in fame, setting the stage for her success. Roan is known for creating themes for her concerts that help her fans feel a part of the show. In an interview with People Magazine, Roan said “I think people like to party, and I think my project feels like a party.”
Although her style is very out there and in your face, her outfits hold a deeper meaning. Webb and Roan try to convey references to social and political movements as well as people who are important to the LGBTQ community. Her style and attitude are a main factor in why so many of her fans have fallen in love with her other than her catchy music.
Although Chappell Roan’s fans love her there will always be some who take their adoration too far. Roan, like many celebrity artists who have rocketed to fame in a short period of time, has endured all sorts of bad behavior, leading her to speak out publicly about it.
Some fans behave as if musical artists like her owe them something, often crossing major boundaries for the sake of meeting them. Roan has taken what some would call the unthinkable action of setting boundaries for her fan base.
Roan has spoken out about the dangerous and stalkerish tendencies some of her “fans” will display. She has released many statements about how she is uncomfortable with some of her fans’ actions on her Instagram and TikTok accounts. She released a statement saying “Please stop touching me. Please stop being weird to my family and friends. Please stop assuming things about me. There is always more to the story. I am scared and tired.”
The multiple statements Roan has made about her fans’ behavior have angered some, causing resentment for the sin of setting clear boundaries. Many of her fans and celebrities like Charli XCX, Katy Perry, and Billie Eilish reacted with major support for her actions.
Recently, at the Video Music Awards red carpet event, Roan cussed out a photographer who yelled profanities at her because she was taking too long to move her dress for a photo. In an Entertainment Tonight interview she talks about how the red carpet is scary for people with anxiety and she yelled back at the photographer because “They don’t get to yell at me like that.”
Her actions caused people to criticize her by saying she should be grateful that they wanted to take pictures of her. However, her defenders say it shouldn’t be normalized that fans and photographers are able to stalk and harass celebrities. In the same Entertainment Tonight interview, Roan said that after she set clear boundaries with what she feels comfortable with, she has noticed a difference with her fan interactions, showing the value of speaking out publicly about the issue.
With Chappell Roan’s explosive start in the music industry she has shown great potential in the future and many people are wondering whats next.