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Rising Pop star Chappell Roan considers leaving music industry amid privacy concerns

2024.11.20 02:02:51 Joelle Oh
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[Crowd cheers for singer on stage. Photo Credit to Pexels]

In a shocking development that has stunned her growing fanbase, breakout artist Chappell Roan announced she is considering stepping away from the music industry due to privacy concerns and inappropriate fan behavior.

The singer, who recently achieved mainstream success after opening for Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour, cited incidents of doxxing and physical confrontations with fans as primary factors in her decision.

Roan, whose real name is Kaleigh Rose Amstutz, rose to prominence with her 2023 album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” and a memorable NPR Tiny Desk performance that demonstrated her raw talent and engaging personality.

The controversy escalated following a recent interview with The Guardian, where Roan expressed nuanced views regarding Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party, prompting accusations from fans of being a closet Republican.

Chappell was quick to respond to the backlash, stating in a Tiktok to clarify the distinction between endorsement and voting preferences, maintaining her liberal stance while criticizing both political sides.

Following multiple boundary violations by fans, Roan issued a statement on Instagram with comments disabled, declaring: “When I’m on stage, when I’m performing, when I’m in drag, when I’m at a work event, when I’m doing press…I am at work. Any other circumstance, I am not in work mode. I am clocked out. I don't agree with the notion that I owe a mutual exchange of energy, time, or attention to people I do not know, do not trust, or who creep me out — just because they’re expressing admiration.” 

The situation intensified following an incident at the VMAs, where an altercation with a photographer who allegedly verbally abused her led to public debate about her temperament and media presence.

People complained about her lack of media training and how her shortfuse made her unfit for fame, while others countered that her no-filter speech was what made her refreshing and ground-breaking. 

Because of the rising tension and controversies, Chappell Roan stated that she was planning on staying out of the spotlight and waiting for it to pass over. 

Before her current success, Roan’s journey in the music industry began with early promise.

Initially discovered through YouTube, she signed with Atlantic Records and released her breakthrough single “Pink Pony Club,” which reached the top 10 in Ireland and was named one of the best songs of 2020.

However, Atlantic later dropped her due to profitability concerns, leading her to return to Missouri and work as a barista while pursuing music independently.

Throughout her recent tours, which have featured drag performers, Roan has been open about her personal growth, including her diagnosis with BPD, her identity as a drag queen, and coming out as a lesbian.

This transparency earned her a devoted following, particularly among LGBTQ+ fans.

Now, citing escalating concerns about fan behavior, including the doxxing of her family members and physical confrontations in public, Roan is contemplating leaving the music industry altogether.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the music industry watches closely to see if this promising new voice will follow through on her consideration to step away from the spotlight, highlighting the ongoing debate about fame, fan culture, and artists’ right to privacy in the digital age.

Joelle Oh / Grade 8
Seoul Foreign School