Rising pop sensation Chappell Roan has faced significant criticism in her journey to stardom.
Following her decision to withdraw from two festivals, addressing concerns about intrusive behavior from individuals monitoring her family residence, and confronting a photographer at the MTV VMAs red carpet, the “Good Luck Babe!” vocalist, 26, faced accusations of being “unprofessional” and “not built for fame” from critics.
However, Roan remains steadfast in expressing herself.
In a recent BBC interview released Sunday (Jan. 19, 2025), Roan expressed her commitment to self-advocacy, regardless of potential career implications.
“I’ve been responding that way to disrespect my whole life − but now there are cameras on me, and I also happen to be a pop star, and those things don’t match,” she said. “It’s like oil and water.”
With six Grammy nominations including best new artist, album of the year and song and record of the year, Roan believes her outspoken nature has impacted her career trajectory.
“I think, actually, I’d be more successful if I was OK wearing a muzzle,” she said.
“If I were to override more of my basic instincts, where my heart is going, ‘Stop, stop, stop, you’re not OK’, I would be bigger. I would be way bigger. … And I would still be on tour right now.”
Roan made the conscious choice to conclude last year’s Midwest Princess tour early, prioritizing her mental and physical wellbeing.
The artist, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, acknowledges the challenges of emotional regulation and adapting to her recent rise to fame.
Before launching her Grammy-nominated album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” she provided her followers with updates regarding her mental health journey and her experience with newfound celebrity status.
“This career path presents significant challenges in maintaining a balanced life and mental wellbeing,” she expressed in a TikTok video in May 2023. “Everything is incredibly exciting at the moment, but I’m discovering that success actually triggers discomfort and self-doubt in me, and I’m still processing why that might be.”
In her BBC interview, she shared that during moments of performance anxiety, she reminds herself that there’s “not a scarcity of opportunity.”
“So when someone says, ‘Do this concert because you’ll never get offered that much money ever again,’ it’s like, who cares?” she added.
Yet, she acknowledges her desire for recognition, noting that the admiration from fans has proven more “addictive” than anticipated.
“I understand why I’m so scared to lose this feeling,” she said. “It’s so scary to think that one day people will not care about you the same way as they do right now − and I think (that idea) lives in women’s brains a lot different than men’s.”
She maintains no regrets about her choices, telling the BBC that success and failure ultimately lie beyond her control.
“If I can look back and say, ‘I did not crumble under the weight of expectation, and I did not stand for being abused or blackmailed,’ at least I stayed true to my heart,” she said. “There are always options.”
