If you’ve been streaming mu-sic over the past few months, you’ve probably heard Chap- pell Roan, a rising star whose unapologetically queer music and persona have shaken up the mainstream music scene in 2024. . With her four con- current hot 100 hits and Video Music Award (VMA) for Best New Artist, her rise has been meteoritic. However, what tru- ly sets her apart is the authen- ticity of her journey and mes- sage in an industry often more focused on commercial appeal than genuine self-expression.
Her celebration of lesbi- an romance in her songs has been a breath of fresh air in an otherwise heteronormative music landscape. Chappell’s 2000s-inspired synth-pop sound, paired with drag-in- fused performances and pow- erful live vocals, showcases her as an artist who refuses to conform.
Chappell’s breakout hit, “Good Luck, Babe!,” is a per- fect example of Chappell’s bold approach to songwriting. The upbeat baroque-pop track is themed around compulsory heterosexuality, a topic rarely touched in mainstream mu- sic. With lyrics like, “When you wake up next to him in the middle of the night / With your head in your hands, you’re nothing more than his wife,” forcing listeners to confront the uncomfortable reality of women conforming to societal expectations rather than fol- lowing their true desires. In a world that declares heteronormativity as the default, Chap- pell’s song stands out in bold protest.
Chappell’s explosive success is made even more remark- able by her personal journey. Growing up in a small town in Willard, Missouri, she regular-ly attended church three times a week. When asked about her childhood, she explained in a Vanity Fair interview, “I just wanted to feel like a good per- son, but I had this part of me that wanted to escape so bad.” Her move to Los Angeles in 2018 marked not only a change in her location but also a trans- formation in her perspective. Chappell told NME, “I was told this city is demonic and Sa-tanists live here, but when I got to West Hollywood, it opened my eyes [to the fact] that ev- erything I was afraid of wasn’t always true — especially about the queer community. Going to gay clubs for the first time – it felt spiritual.” Chappell’s de- cision to break away from her conservative roots empowered her to make bold statements for women and the LGBTQ+ community.
The evolution of Chappell Roan’s music and persona shows how she has found a way to showcase her authentic self despite the obstacles in her path. Through her bold per- formances and unmistakably LGBTQ+-focused songs, she has broken boundaries in an industry that shies away from these narratives.
She has been and will contin-ue to be an inspiration for those who want to embody their true selves. When she won the VMA for Best New Artist, she pro- claimed, “And for all the queer kids in the midwest watching right now: I see you. I under- stand you because I’m one of you. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t be exactly who you want to be.”