Photo used under SPLC guidelines.

The no-nonsense gay icon herself, Chappell Roan made a crash into the mainstream music scene of 2024. Taking home four VMA’s at her very first music award show is a feat not many can do, especially for someone who strives on not limitng herself to the standards and expectations of the mainstream music world. She’s pushing the boundaries of being a LGBT person in the music industry, being un-apologetically queer and paying tribute to all those before her. Since she released her debut album The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess late last year, her songs have been plastered all over social media. Whether it’s “Good Luck Babe,’ “HOT TO GO!,” “Pink Pony Club,” or “Casual,” people all over the world have been touched by her breathtaking vocals and songwriting.

Continuing a 6-year streak, Chappell Roan is the 7th in a line of female “Best New Artist” winners at the VMA’s. At this year’s VMAs, walking up to the microphone, she said, “I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspired me. And I dedicate this to queer and trans people that fuel pop all around, to the gays who dedicate my songs to someone they love… or hate. And thank you to the people who are fans, who listen to me, who hear me when I share my joy and my fears. Thank you for listening.” Roan continued, “And for all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you, I understand you because I’m one of you, and don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t be exactly who you want to be.”

Her message resonates with people all over the world, including students here at CHS. “She’s just authentically her and that’s hard to do in an industry like that,” student Alex Johnson says. “I think Chappell has just boosted lesbian pop music and just restates that they’re real people.” A large talking point on Chappell as an artist is her views on fan interaction and the boundaries she’s set with people via her social media accounts, especially with being vocal about how she wants people to treat her with respect when she’s in her private life. “I don’t care that abuse and harassment is a normal thing to do to people who are famous,” Chappell says in a now viral TikTok, “I don’t care that this crazy type of behavior comes along with the career field I’ve chosen… It’s weird how people think you know a person just cause you see them online,” she continues, her statement followed with much backlash from the media and fans alike. “I totally agree with what she has to say and how she treats her fame,” Alex comments on her statement, ”It’s her fame, and she can have whatever boundaries she wants.” 

Alex is one of many of Roan’s fans in the school, and it’s a testament to the impact her catchy choruses have. With Chappell teasing and performing more and more upcoming music, it’s only inevitable that she’ll only grow and grow, her fanbase along with it.