Music artist Chappell Roan, best known for her songs “HOT TO GO!”, “Pink Pony Club,” and “Good Luck, Babe,” has recently found herself shifting from a popstar icon to an infamous artist. After an encounter with a fan late last month, people have taken to social media, deeming her “unfit” for Hollywood fame.
On March 21, Brazilian soccer player Jorginho Frello, his step-daughter, and his wife were staying at a hotel near São Paulo when they spotted Chappell Roan, who was in town to perform at Lollapalooza, enjoying her breakfast. Allegedly, the young child walked by to make sure it was Roan and smiled at her.
After this, an intimidating security guard approached the family, saying that they should not be disrespectful to Roan, effectively scolding them on manners. Jorginho then states that his daughter was shaken, even to the point of crying.
“Chappell Roan is known for being standoffish with fans, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she did send the security guard after her,” says junior Arianna Morillo. “It’s definitely an overreaction if all the daughter did was smile at her.”
Roan says that she did not send the security guard to talk to them, but fans and critics alike still took great offense and started harassing her online. In fact, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro released a public statement condemning her actions and stating that she was not welcome to perform in his city from then on.
This controversy is certainly not the first she’s been involved in, as other incidents with fans and paparazzi are common. In one particular instance, a popular video online shows Roan recording a group of paparazzi, being combative to everyone present.
Comments criticize her for being too aggressive or mean, specifically to a fan in the video who seemingly did nothing except be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some comments include “That poor fan though :(“, “She doesn’t need to be famous,” and “Why is she famous?”
Another example is in 2024, when Roan told a photographer to “shut the f*** up,” yelling multiple other obscenities at them afterwards. However, these comments come to Roan’s defense instead of attacking her; some include “paparazzi are an invasive species,” and “paparazzi are some of the most selfish, inconsiderate people on the planet.”
This is likely due to the polarization of her fanbase; she is a very outspoken feminist, far left, and incredibly confrontational. A large portion of the LGBTQ+ community, along with women of all backgrounds, applaud her for standing up for herself and setting boundaries.
This support is not unique to these groups only, however. Many people simply enjoy the music and art she produces and are big fans of her work.
Junior Luna Santana comments, “I saw Chappell Roan open for Olivia Rodrigo on the Guts Tour in 2024, and I really enjoyed her set.” She continues, “I started listening to her, and I think her music is great.”
On the other hand, many males are incredibly opposed to her fame. She is not too dissimilar in that regard, with a famous misandrist statement of hers being “Men don’t make good art.”
Another large point of contention is her past; her grandfather is a multi-millionaire, and she comes from a family based on a very successful veterinary business. This is despite certain problems she has claimed, such as not being able to afford health insurance during COVID after a label dropped her.
Chappell Roan’s reputation is undeniable, and it’s not uncommon to say she is playing into it. Whether she will continue to do so and fully adopt the persona is up to time, and some may even say that she already has.
