Graphic by Rielle Reyes ’27/The Choate News
By Francesca Howard ’26 Copy Editor
A year ago, Chappell Roan was just another name you’d scroll past on your Spotify playlist. But after her electric Coachella performance in April 2024, her catchy single “Good Luck, Babe!” and debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess blowing up the charts, it seems like she has it all. However, over the past month, her erratic behavior has fans wondering if the self-proclaimed Midwest Princess is worthy of her crown.
On September 27, the day before she was scheduled to take the stage at the All Things Go Music Festival’s New York City and Washington D.C. shows, Roan broke the news to her fans that she was canceling her show: “Things have gotten overwhelming over the past few weeks, and I am really feeling it.” Roan explained on Instagram that she needed to “prioritize [her] health” and thanked ticket holders for their understanding.
But here’s the thing: most of her fans didn’t take kindly to how she handled the situation. As one Instagram user commented, “If I had thousands of dollars spent on flights etc, and my fav came out saying ‘I’ll be back xoxo’ like some gossip girl revival, you best believe I’m never paying for a ticket to their show again.” Another put it more bluntly: “Get over yourself.”
Roan’s biggest hit might be the one she’s taking to her reputation, and her critics have a solid point. Her fans have spent large amounts of money on tickets, hotel rooms, and transportation, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite artist.
There’s no denying Roan’s meteoric rise to stardom or the immense pressures that come with it. Roan went from being an underground artist to headlining festivals and sharing stages with pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo. Anyone would find that overwhelming. Mental health should always come first, and it’s commendable that these artists feel comfortable sharing their struggles. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to sympathize with Roan when this isn’t the first time she disappointed her fans by backing out of a show at the last minute.
Canceling gigs with practically zero notice demonstrates Roan’s complete lack of respect for those who keep her career afloat. More established stars like Billie Eilish, who openly discuss their struggles with mental health, manage to handle their commitments with a level of professionalism. No one is asking Roan to work herself to death. What fans want is simple: transparency, consistency, and, above all, respect. If she needs to take time off, let her team communicate it clearly and well in advance. Roan can’t just flake on commitments whenever she feels like it. Most people can’t afford to clock out of work because they are tired or overwhelmed. Roan is very privileged to have the ability to make these kinds of capricious decisions without considering their consequences.
Even more baffling is Roan’s general attitude towards her fans. While performing at a show earlier this year, she expressed discomfort with admirers asking for photos, calling the behavior “weird.” She even went to the extent of comparing fan behavior to that of “an abusive ex-husband.” Setting boundaries is healthy, but labeling supporters as “abusive” for wanting a keepsake of the artist they admire is excessive. For an artist whose brand prioritizes an artist-audience relationship, these incidents are out of tune with the image she has tried to cultivate.
Roan wants to live in a world where she can pick and choose when to be famous. However, if she wants to continue reaping the rewards of life in the spotlight such as record deals, brand endorsements, and the adoration of thousands, then she needs to show up. Chappell Roan may want to rethink what it means to be in the public eye. Being a music star is not just about making music. It’s about being approachable, relatable, and, at the very least, grateful towards your supporters. If she fails to do this, Roan might just find herself with all the time in the world for self-care — because no one will be lining up to see her. Good luck, babe.
