Fame that has come so fast it’s dizzying. American singer Chappell Roan has always dreamed of her, yet now she is terrified. For years, she struggled between various brigades and more or less successful singles. Now she’s finally basking in the pop world with songs about lesbian sex or dancing in a gay club to the dismay of her Christian family. On Friday, she was nominated for six Grammy Awards for it.
She appears on stage with bold white make-up, exaggerated eyebrows, bright pink cheeks and sometimes a bold wig. She says her artistic persona is drag queen and that he does not understand why a woman could not do this discipline. But you can also find videos on social networks in which an ordinary, slightly chaotic twenty-six-year-old girl named Kayleigh Amstutz writes down ideas for lyrics in a notepad on her phone. Thanks to that, the fans fell in love with her. She is not afraid to be natural and also a little crazy.
He most often opens up gay themes in his work, in a way that can shock many. In Chappell Roan’s biggest hit of the year so far called Good Luck, Babe! speaks to a woman with whom she had an intimate relationship, but who does not want to admit her homosexuality. In a synthpop song with a sound of the 80s of the last century and high vocals, the musician tells her that “she can kiss a hundred guys in a bar / or take another shot and try to get rid of the feeling”, but she still doesn’t do anything about it. The American admits that she also speaks a little to her younger self. She too had dated men before and then woke up at night with the terror of being in love with a woman.
A few days ago, Chappell Roan performed the song The Giver on the popular TV show Saturday Night Live. It is tuned to the country style, but the content turns it upside down. While the genre is usually dominated by white men and their compositions reflect the traditional division of roles between men and women, the singer brazenly tells them that women can give each other more sexual satisfaction than a man. “You country boys always say you know how to treat a woman right. Only another woman knows that. She gets the job done,” she told the cameras before singing the new song.
Her lyrics indicate a social shift since the days of the Song I Kissed a Girl. In it, Katy Perry cautiously sang in 2008 that she “kissed a girl just to try”, but at the same time assured listeners that she definitely did not fall in love that night and hoped that her boyfriend would forgive her. Chappell Roan, on the other hand, questions the setting of society, which considers heterosexual partnerships as “normal”. It tells men that, unlike them, she can bring a woman to orgasm during sex.
The family pretends they don’t know what they’re singing about
All of this is made even more interesting by the fact that Kayleigh Amstutz comes from a small Christian town in the American Midwest. She describes the environment in which she grew up as very conservative. As a child, she went to church three times a week and spent some summers at Christian camps. None of the relatives have a musical background; her parents run a veterinary practice together. She got into music through playing the piano and winning a school talent contest at the age of 13.
Chappell Roan attended church three times a week as a child. | Photo: Reuters
As a teenager, she began uploading song covers to YouTube and writing her own. At sixteen, she signed a contract with Atlantic Records and negotiated an option to drop out of high school a year early to pursue a career in music.
“I got signed a year after the Ultraviolence album came out. I’ve been here for so long, so many Lana Del Rey albums have come out in between,” she said with exaggeration about waiting for success for the magazine The Face. The record Ultraviolence comes from 2014.
Four years later, Chappell Roan was twenty and left to seek her fortune in Los Angeles, where she was freely exploring her queer identity for the first time. She established a collaboration with producer Dan Nigre, with whom she wrote a catchy song Pink Pony Club. In it, she tells how she disappointed her parents by visiting gay clubs. “Mom, I’m just having fun / I belong here,” he sings. But the song was released at the beginning of the covid pandemic, and maybe that’s why it stuck. The label soon broke up with the singer, and Nigro, who produced both albums of another young star, Olivia Rodrigo, stopped having time for her due to the success of her competitor.
So Chappell Roan ended up back with her parents in Willard, Missouri. Over the summer, she worked part-time at a coffee shop and wondered whether to apply to university. But then she decided to try to last one more year in Los Angeles. She allegedly spent him doing other odd jobs and cried through him in bed. In the end, however, she managed to sign a contract with the Sony publishing house and renewed her collaboration with Nigre in 2022. A year later, she released her debut album, which could not have been more aptly named – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.
Chappell Roan’s Hot To Go! from last year’s debut album. | Video: Island Records
Suddenly, everything happened very quickly. The album was well received by fans and critics, and the song titled Hot To Go! caught on on the TikTok social network thanks to the dance that the musician invented for her. Chappell Roan also attributes her success to therapy in which she worked with her “inner child”. She realized what her younger self would want – to dress up in different costumes and occasionally sing something a little crazy, like a song inspired by cheerleaders. Since then, her music is said to have become much better.
In Hot To Go! he invites another woman to not be shy and explains that he is also interested in her. “It’s time for dinner,” he sings defiantly. Her grandparents also appear in the video, but according to Chappell Roan, they kind of pretend they don’t know what the lyrics are about. “That’s how it goes in the Midwest. They say I’m dating a girl, but she’s actually kind of like my friend.” she stated on the Making The Album podcast. “I think my parents feel that way about my whole project,” she added.
The girls hold each other
Although Olivia Rodrigo “took over” her producer for a while, they are friends and support each other. Chappell Roan recorded vocals for both albums of a more famous colleague, who in turn invited her as an opening act on two of her tours so far. This made the girl from the Midwest more famous. Since the beginning of this spring, Olivia Rodrigo has opened every performance of The Guts World Tour with her drag show. In addition, she released the single Good Luck, Babe! and this year she quickly became a star.
Perhaps too quickly. She has dreamed of a music career for a long time, but at the same time she finds fame toxic. They say no one but other famous people can understand what she’s going through.
Chappell Roan also attributes his success to therapy. | Photo: Reuters
Today, they talk with great gratitude about female pop stars like Lady Gaga, Lorde or Sabrina Carpenter. They all called her asking if she was okay. “We girls rely on each other,” she said of The Face magazine. Now Chappell Roan almost always has to go out in public wearing a wig. She even stopped seeing the therapist who had helped her so much in launching her career. She said she couldn’t help her with the fame-related issues she was dealing with now.
The musician also gained fans by performing directly on social networks. But at the same time, they create the false impression that people know and are friends with their star. Chappell Roan has already dealt with several unpleasant situations – a kiss from a fan she did not agree with, abuse after she refused to sign an autograph, or anonymous phone calls to her father after his number was leaked on the Internet.
But the artist is not afraid to define her boundaries. Instead of embracing the world of show business with all its toxicity, she announced that if inappropriate behavior from fans continued, she might quit music.
“I don’t care that it’s normal, that this crazy behavior is part of the job I chose. It doesn’t mean it’s normal that I want it and that I like it. I don’t care if you think that it’s selfish if I refuse a request for a photo together or a hug,” she stated a visibly outraged Chappell Roan on TikTok.
She also asked fans not to address her on the street when she is not working and not to call her by her real name Kayleigh. Chappell Roan understands his drag persona as a project and compares it to the fictional character of Hannah Montana, which the singer Miley Cyrus dressed up as in the popular series.
Some appreciate this effort to separate private and work life. For example, Hayley Williams from the group Paramore considers her “very brave and necessary”. However, others perceive it as ungratefulness.
Nevertheless, the musician continues to speak publicly about how the show business environment can be unhealthy. “This industry relies on people being overworked, burned out, sleep deprived. The more unhealthy you are, the more successful you are. Isn’t that crazy?” he asks. But for now, he continues. Megahit Good Luck, Babe! she is now said to be an inspiration for how she would like to continue creating. “I just wrote a song that I liked and released it. That inspires me a lot, I think: Can I be successful with something that I really like at the same time? That’s crazy.”
Video: Singl Good Luck, Babe! od Chappell Roan
Good Luck Babe! is Chappell Roan’s biggest hit yet. Photo: Ryan Lee Clemens | Video: Island Records
Chappell Roan: The Rise and (Slight) Panic of a Pop Princess
Now, let me tell you about Chappell Roan. This American pop singer has hit the scene like a tornado in a drag show! One day she’s picking out song lyrics on the sofa, the next she’s strutting across stages, dodging Christian family gatherings like they’re a game of dodgeball but with a much more glamorous outfit. I mean, come on—six Grammy nominations in one fell swoop? Talk about throwing fairy dust and hoping it sticks!
From Kayleigh to Chappell: The Transformation
Chappell Roan, or as her high school friends know her—Kayleigh Amstutz—is certainly living the pop dream. She’s donned in bold white makeup and exaggerated eyebrows that scream, “I’m here and fabulous!” She’s basically proved that being a drag queen isn’t just a man’s game; it’s a party where everyone relishes the glitter. Who knew you could mix country tunes with such spicy subject matter? Oh, honey, she didn’t just flirt with tradition; she made a bold declaration that women can indeed prioritize pleasure over patriarchal nonsense!
Speaking of which, her single "Good Luck, Babe!" dives into the complexities of modern queer relationships with the grace of a ballerina falling off a tutu. Who would have thought a synthpop track could be so heartfelt and hilarious? In the song, she reassures her romantic interest that it’s totally fine to kiss a hundred guys in a bar while struggling with her identities. Isn’t that lovely? It’s like a group therapy session but with background dancers!
A Midwestern Background to Pop Icon
Now let’s get one thing straight – she wasn’t born with a microphone in hand and a sequined dress! Nope! Growing up in a conservative Christian town in the Midwest, where even a peek at a glittery nail polish could raise eyebrows, didn’t stop her from belting out tunes at church three times a week! It’s almost like they mistook her vibrant spirit for extra enthusiasm during hymns! Naturally, her family is clinging to the hope that when she talks about “going out,” she means catching the latest Christian boy band and not hitting a gay bar. Bless their hearts!
Her journey took her from small-town coffee runs to Saturday Night Live, where she casually flipped the traditional country music script. Picture a country ballad where the punchline is that only another woman knows how to really please a woman! Move over, Luke Bryan; I’d follow Chappell to the ends of the Earth!
The Struggles of Fame
But fame? That’s a double-edged sword, folks. She already admitted it’s "toxic," like a bad batch of Kool-Aid at a summer camp. Everyone wants a piece of the pie—and sometimes they want an all-access pass to her life. There’s nothing like the thrill of fans treating her like their best friend, which can quickly turn into horror when they invade her personal space.
What do you do when you’ve hit the big leagues but also want to maintain a slightly sane existence? You create boundaries, honey! Chappell’s got guts; she won’t shy away from telling her fans when they’ve crossed a line. She reminds them: there’s a time and place for everything, including keeping a respectful distance from her wig! Pop stars are not public property, and she knows it! How refreshing to see someone in her position actually stand up and clarify “Hey, I’m still a person, not your personal jukebox!”
A Supporting Sisterhood
When the going gets tough, Chappell leans on her female pop royalty—Lady Gaga, Lorde, Sabrina Carpenter—the whole fabulous clan. Together, they’re fighting the battle against the toxic culture of the music industry that prizes burnout over balance while holding each other accountable. Imagine how crazy fantastic it would be to have that kind of sisterhood surrounding you as you navigate this chaotic world!
Conclusion: The Audacity of Authenticity
As we watch Chappell Roan’s journey, we can’t help but root for this chaotic, glittering tornado in heels. She’s reinvented not only her music but is boldly reshaping our understanding of love, identity, and even self-care in the spotlight. She’s determined to keep her authenticity intact while pushing boundaries that need pushing.
So, let’s raise our drinks—preferably with a rainbow twist—and toast to Chappell Roan! May her growth continue as rapidly as her fame, and may she keep reminding the world that being unapologetically you is the best performance of all!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to redefine my mascara while listening to “Good Luck, Babe!” – just let me know when it’s okay to join the nearest LGBTQ club without my wig flying off, alright? Cheers! 🎤✨
American singer Chappell Roan is experiencing a whirlwind of fame that has arrived with astonishing rapidity, leaving her in a state of both exhilaration and trepidation. This rise to stardom comes after years filled with struggles, navigating various musical endeavors and releasing singles of fluctuating success. Now, she finds herself thriving in the pop scene with audacious songs that vividly explore themes of lesbian sexuality and the vibrant atmosphere of gay nightlife, much to the dismay of her devout Christian family. On Friday, in recognition of her impactful work, she received an impressive six Grammy nominations.
On stage, she captivates audiences with striking white makeup, dramatic eyebrows, and vivid pink cheeks, often complemented by an eye-catching wig. Embracing her artistic persona as a drag queen, she passionately advocates for the acceptance of women in this dynamic discipline. Yet, away from the spotlight, viewers can find a more relatable side of her; a 26-year-old named Kayleigh Amstutz, who shares lyric ideas on her phone amidst a backdrop of delightful chaos. This authenticity is what endears her to fans, showcasing her willingness to embrace both naturalness and a hint of eccentricity.
In her work, Roan frequently delves into themes of queer love that can be both provocative and enlightening. Her standout track thus far, titled Good Luck, Babe!, addresses a woman with whom she shared a deeply intimate bond while she grapples with her hidden desires. The 80s-inspired synthpop anthem features high-pitched vocals, delivering the message that “she can kiss a hundred guys in a bar / or take another shot and attempt to suppress the feeling,” yet remains paralyzed by her reluctance to embrace her truth. Roan acknowledges that this message is, in part, a conversation with her younger self, who once navigated similar fears about love and identity.
A few days ago, Chappell Roan delivered an electrifying performance of her song The Giver on the highly renowned TV show Saturday Night Live. While the song’s arrangement leans into a country style, its lyrical content flips traditional tropes on their head. In a genre historically dominated by white male narratives centered around conventional gender roles, Roan audaciously asserts that women can provide each other with more profound sexual satisfaction than men. “You country boys always insist that you know how to treat a woman right. Only another woman truly understands that. She gets the job done,” she remarked confidently to the cameras before launching into her new number.
Her lyrics signal a notable societal evolution from the time of Katy Perry’s cautionary anthem I Kissed a Girl, where in 2008, Perry hesitantly recounted an experience while ensuring her listeners that she didn’t fall for another woman on that fateful night. In stark contrast, Roan commands a narrative that challenges the societal norms deeming heterosexual relationships “normal,” boldly proclaiming her ability to bring a woman to orgasm in ways that men cannot.
The family pretends they don’t know what they’re singing about
Intriguingly, the journey of Kayleigh Amstutz unfolds in the context of her upbringing in a conservative Christian town in the American Midwest, which she describes as a stronghold of traditional values. Raised in an environment where church attendance was a routine obligation—often three times a week—and frequenting Christian camps, her family has no musical legacy, as her parents run a veterinary clinic together. Her passion for music ignited through piano lessons and a triumph in a school talent contest at the tender age of 13.
By her teenage years, she began posting song covers on YouTube and crafting her own melodies. At sixteen, her talent led her to sign a contract with Atlantic Records, allowing her to leave high school a year early in pursuit of her music career. “I got signed a year after the Ultraviolence album debuted, and I’ve been waiting here forever; countless Lana Del Rey albums have been released in the meantime,” she shared humorously in an interview with The Face, referring to the 2014 record.
Four years later, at twenty, she ventured to Los Angeles to explore her queer identity, collaborating with producer Dan Nigro to create the addictive track Pink Pony Club. In this playful song, she recounts her experience of disappointing her parents by diving into the gay nightlife, singing “Mom, I’m just having fun / I belong here.” Unfortunately, the track’s launch coincided with the onset of the COVID pandemic, which hindered its reach. As a result, the label severed ties with her due to changing circumstances, and Nigro, who was busy producing albums for rising star Olivia Rodrigo, could no longer prioritize their collaboration.
In a twist of fate, Chappell Roan found herself back with her parents in Willard, Missouri, mulling over her next steps as she worked part-time in a coffee shop during the summer. Amidst doubts about pursuing a university education, she decided to give Los Angeles another shot. During this year, she juggled various odd jobs while grappling with her emotions in solitude. Ultimately, she secured a contract with Sony Publishing and reconnected with Nigro in 2022, leading to the release of her debut album aptly titled The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess just a year later.
With her debut album exceeding expectations, both fans and critics celebrated its release, particularly the infectious hit Hot To Go!, which gained traction on TikTok, in part due to its accompanying dance created by Roan herself. She attributes her flourishing success to deep therapeutic work centered around her “inner child,” realizing what her younger self craved: to don whimsical costumes and sing about topics that might traditionally be deemed outrageous, like cheerleading. This introspection reportedly enhanced the quality of her music.
In Hot To Go!, she confidently invites another woman to embrace her feelings, singing, “It’s time for dinner,” with an assertive tone. Curiously, her grandparents make an appearance in the music video, although Chappell Roan humorously suggests they feign ignorance about the song’s themes, stating, “That’s how it goes in the Midwest. They say I’m dating a girl, but she’s just kinda like my friend.” she stated on the Making The Album podcast, adding, “I sense my parents feel similarly about my entire artistic project.”
The girls hold each other
Despite the temporary shadow cast by Olivia Rodrigo’s rise to fame, the two maintain a solid friendship and mutual support. Chappell Roan contributed her impressive vocals to both of Rodrigo’s albums, and has had the honor of opening two of Rodrigo’s tours, elevating her visibility within the music industry significantly. Since early spring, Rodrigo has commenced every performance of The Guts World Tour showcasing her drag show featuring Chappell Roan, who rapidly ascended to pop stardom following the release of her single Good Luck, Babe!
This swift ascent has brought its own challenges; while she has long nursed dreams of a musical career, she also finds the pressures of fame to be overwhelming. As she notes, “No one besides fellow artists understands what I’m going through.”
Today, she expresses heartfelt gratitude toward female pop icons like Lady Gaga, Lorde, and Sabrina Carpenter, who have reached out to check on her well-being. “We girls truly rely on one another,” she remarked in an article with The Face. However, the unyielding glare of fame compels her to wear a wig and shy away from her therapeutic support system, which she feels can no longer assist her with the complexities of newfound celebrity.
Though her performances on social media have garnered a dedicated following, they also contribute to a misleading perception of intimacy between fans and herself. Unfortunately, she has had to confront several uncomfortable encounters, including an unsolicited kiss from a fan, aggressive behavior when she declined to sign autographs, and troubling phone calls to her father after his personal information leaked online.
Despite these trials, the artist is firm in establishing her boundaries. Rather than succumbing to the harmful norms of the entertainment industry, she has made it clear that if fans continue to encroach on her personal space, she may reconsider her career in music. “I am uninterested in accepting this as part of the job,” she declared firmly on TikTok, addressing a wave of frustration. She further implored fans not to approach her in public when she is off-duty, nor to call her by her birth name, Kayleigh. Chappell Roan envisions her drag persona as an elaborate project, much like Miley Cyrus’s portrayal of Hannah Montana in the eponymous series.
While her attempts to carve out a separation between her personal and public life have garnered mixed reactions, including praise from Hayley Williams of Paramore for their bravery, others perceive it as ingratitude. Still, Chappell Roan continues to shine a light on the darker sides of the entertainment industry. “This system thrives on individuals working to the point of exhaustion, stress, and deprivation,” she notes astutely. “Isn’t it alarming that the unhealthier you are, the more successful you become?” Currently, she forges onward, with her megahit Good Luck, Babe! serving as a source of inspiration for her future creative endeavors. “I simply wrote a song I enjoyed and released it. That concept fuels my drive: Can I succeed while doing what I genuinely love?” she mused.
Video: Singl Good Luck, Babe! od Chappell Roan
Good Luck Babe! is Chappell Roan’s biggest hit yet. Photo: Ryan Lee Clemens | Video: Island Records
Signs of lack of respect in relationship
Do not respect her privacy, she will not hesitate to distance herself from those who disregard it. Roan emphasizes the importance of mutual respect, stating that her artistry exists to entertain and to express her journey rather than to fulfill any unrealistic expectations placed upon her.
As she navigates the labyrinthine world of fame, Chappell Roan remains rooted in her values and committed to her mission of promoting queer representation in the music industry. Her journey reflects a powerful narrative of self-discovery and unapologetic expression. Through her music, vibrant performances, and personal introspection, she continues to inspire others to embrace their true selves and foster acceptance within a culture that is still evolving. With her debut album under her belt, a rapidly growing fanbase, and influential collaborators by her side, the future appears bright for this burgeoning pop star.
In essence, Chappell Roan exemplifies the blend of playful whimsy and serious advocacy, using her platform not only to entertain but also to challenge societal norms around gender and sexuality. As she forges ahead, one can only anticipate how her artistry will evolve and the impact it will leave on listeners and the broader music scene.
