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Singer-songwriter Chappell Roan has rapidly risen to prominence in the pop music scene over the past year, capturing widespread attention through her dynamic social media presence and receiving acclaim for her vibrant, campy songs.
Since the release of her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, in September 2023, Roan has made significant waves with her theatrical performances at major music festivals such as Coachella and Governors Ball. Her single “Good Luck, Babe!” achieved viral success, earning a spot on the Billboard Hot 100. On Wednesday, Roan was honored with the Best New Artist award at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, an accolade she dedicated to the LGBTQ community.
Her fan base has seen substantial growth since her first headlining concert in May 2022. At just 26 years old, Roan now headlines sold-out shows nationwide and has even garnered admiration from music icon Elton John. Despite her recent success, Roan’s journey to fame began nearly a decade ago and almost ended before she had the opportunity to fully realize her potential.
Chappell Roan got a record deal when she was still a teenager
Chappell Roan secured a record deal as a teenager, marking the beginning of a significant career in music. Born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, she began her musical journey by uploading cover songs to YouTube while living in Willard, Missouri. At 16, she penned the original track “Die Young,” which led to her signing with Atlantic Records at the age of 17. Roan adopted her stage name in tribute to her late grandfather, Dennis Chappell, whose favorite song was Marty Robbins’ “The Strawberry Roan.”
Roan released her debut EP, School Nights, in 2017, during a period she describes as “witchy, dark, serious.” Shortly thereafter, she relocated to Los Angeles, a city that profoundly impacted her personal and professional life. As a queer woman navigating independence in L.A., Roan found a new sense of freedom and self-expression. “I feel allowed to be who I want to be here,” Roan shared with Rolling Stone in October 2022. “That changed everything.”
This newfound freedom is reflected in her 2020 single “Pink Pony Club,” inspired by her experiences at The Abbey, a gay bar in West Hollywood. Although “Pink Pony Club” eventually gained popularity in the summer of 2021, it did not yield significant financial success upon its initial release, leading to Roan’s departure from her label.
After getting dropped from her label, Roan continued as an independent artist
After being dropped by her label, Roan faced a significant challenge in her career. Unable to secure employment in Los Angeles during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, she temporarily moved back in with her parents. Determined to forge a new path, Roan gave herself one year to rebuild her career as an independent artist, marking the beginning of her rebranding efforts.
In a recent interview with Paper Magazine, Roan reflected on her journey: “I was dropped, I was working at a donut shop. No money. That’s what I was doing.” Despite these setbacks, she collaborated with songwriter and producer Daniel Nigro, leading to the release of two new tracks, “Naked in Manhattan” and “My Kink is Karma,” by May 2022. These tracks, along with their accompanying music videos, highlighted her queer identity and drag-inspired aesthetic, and were entirely self-funded and produced by her friends.
“I had a blast working on these projects, but I wouldn’t do it again,” Roan admitted. Her efforts to promote the songs on TikTok and Instagram garnered significant attention, expanding her following and attracting the interest of other artists. By the end of the year, she had released two additional tracks, “Casual” and “Femininomenon,” and even opened for renowned artists Olivia Rodrigo and Fletcher.
In early 2023, Roan launched her headlining “Naked in North America” tour, which gained considerable traction on social media. Unconventional in its approach, the tour featured local drag queens as the opening act and encouraged attendees to dress according to nightly themes inspired by Roan’s songs and drag persona. This playful tradition continued with her “Midwest Princess” tour.
Roan shared with People in September 2023, “I think people like to party, and I think my project feels like a party. People want to be happy, reflect, sing, dance, dress up, and feel free. My project provides a space for self-expression without judgment, allowing both myself and my audience to discover and celebrate their identities.”
In keeping with her theme of fun and engagement, Roan also created a viral TikTok dance for her August 2023 single, “Hot To Go!” She encouraged fans to perform the dance at her shows, resulting in over 74,000 posts under the hashtag #hottogo on TikTok, with her initial dance tutorial video amassing more than 372,300 views.
Her fame has grown since majors appearances on late night TV and Coachella
Roan’s prominence has surged following major appearances on late-night television and at Coachella. Her trajectory as an independent artist concluded with her signing to Nigro’s Amusement Records, an imprint of Island Records, in May 2023. In an interview with Grammy.com in April 2024, she revealed that her decision to sign with a label stemmed from the realization that her debut album project had outgrown her capacity to manage independently.
Released in September, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess has garnered acclaim for its synth-pop melodies, dynamic vocals, and bold exploration of queer themes. The album’s success led to Roan securing a spot in the top 10 of Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart within a month.
In February 2024, Roan made her late-night debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, performing “Red Wine Supernova” in a wedding dress. The following month, she captivated audiences with a flamboyant set on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, featuring a dramatic wig and elaborate drag makeup. Her breakthrough came with her performance at Coachella in April 2024, where her vibrant outfits—including a giant pink butterfly costume and an ’80s-inspired ensemble—generated significant buzz on social media and led to widespread sharing of her music.
Roan’s momentum continues to build. At this month’s Governor’s Ball in New York City, she impressed with a green body paint and Statue of Liberty costume while previewing a new track titled “Subway.” She also made headlines by declining an invitation to perform at the White House’s Pride celebration, stating, “We want liberty, justice, and freedom for all. When you do that, that’s when I’ll come.”
Despite her new affiliation with a major record label, Roan remains resolute in maintaining creative control and expressing herself authentically.