She’s a femininomenon who’s garnered over two billion streams on Spotify. Chappell Roan made history when she performed the biggest daytime set at Lollapalooza, a music festival with 110,000 attendees. She’s also credited with the revival of pop music, but four years ago Atlantic Records told her she couldn’t be a pop star when she was dropped from the label.
Instead of accepting defeat, Roan understood it was only a setback. Chappell moved back home, regathered herself, and decided to give music one more try. This time, as an independent artist. Being dropped was a catalyst for her to create the art she truly wanted. Chappell’s genre switched from piano ballads to bubblegum pop and it helped her become her most authentic self and honor her inner child through her art.
Despite having parents who didn’t always approve of her identity and no record label to back her, Chappell found support in the LGBTQIA+ community. It means a lot for the queer community to have a song like “Good luck, Babe!” about comphet (compulsory heterosexuality), reach #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. She gives back to the community that has fueled her career by having local drag queens open for her shows. Ensuring each venue celebrates self love and femininity.
Her music carries this message through singles such as “Casual,” “Red Wine Supernova,” and “Pink Pony Club.” These songs were previously considered flops but have been given a second chance because of her success with her debut studio album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.” This album describes Chappell’s entire journey. From being an awkward, repressed queer kid in the midwest to navigating independence as she realizes just how sheltered she’s been. The rebellion described in Chappell’s music is less about disobedience and more about self discovery.
The idea that she’s now experiencing self liberation in her 20s is comforting. It gives hope to all the awkward queer kids who were too afraid to put themselves out there in high school. Life goes on after high school and no matter what you may experience on the way, you’ll find yourself and a community that accepts your authentic self.
