Despite her success, Atlantic Records dropped her in August 2020 for not being “profitable enough” and Chappell went independent. While out on her own, she released many songs including feminist fan favourite “Femininomenon,” which now has over 45 million streams on Spotify.
In February 2023, Roan embarked on the “Naked in North America Tour,” her debut headlining tour. Each stop on the tour had an outfit theme, with Roan interacting with her fans and making her own matching costumes on every stop.
In May 2023 she signed with Dan Nigro’s Amusement Records, under Island Records. She released her debut album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” in September 2023 and began her second headlining tour, “The Midwest Princess Tour” the same month. She has also performed at Coachella, Bonnaroo, The Governors Ball and has done a tiny desk concert for NPR with many more performances on the way.
What genre is Chappell Roan?
Chappell initially debuted with dark pop but moved away from that in 2020 with Pink Pony Club. Her music is now mostly inspired by 80’s synth-pop/early 00s pop and falls under the indie pop genre.
She is credited as a leader in the current “lesbian pop renaissance”, with her songs celebrating queer and feminist culture and ideologies. Her newest single ‘Good Luck Babe!’ discusses compulsory heterosexuality, or comphet, the theory that “heterosexuality is assumed and enforced upon people by a patriarchal and heteronormative society.”
Simplified: society pressures everyone – especially women and queer women – to act straight and be attracted to men, even if they’re not.
Why do we love Chappell Roan?
Alongside giving us the bops we didn’t know we needed, Chappell stands on what she says, and stands up for her fans. From her first tour, Chappell provided a platform to local drag queens, booking them for her openers.
She personally donates $1 per ticket sold to the nonprofit For the Gworls – a Black, trans-led collective that “fundraises money to help Black transgender people pay for their rent, gender-affirming surgeries, medicine and doctor’s visits, and travel assistance”, and she provided fans with a QR code so that they can donate also. Her most recent tour has since sold out with fans and other celebrities praising her and begging for more dates and bigger venues.
Chappell has also been hugely vocal about issues close to her heart. During her Gov Ball set in NYC, she addressed The White House, which had invited her to perform for them.
“In response to the White House who asked me to perform for pride. We want liberty, justice and freedom for all. When you do that, that’s when I’ll come.” She has also made calls to the government and her fans recently for equality, racial equality, women’s rights, trans rights and peace in Gaza.
What about her amazing outfits?
Chappell has stated that her looks are inspired by drag costumes, makeup and culture. In an interview with Jimmy Fallon she stated that she also takes inspiration from horror movies, burlesque and theatre. “I love looking pretty and scary. Or, like, pretty and tacky. Or just not pretty. I love that, too.”