It’s pride month, and we’re taking this in glitter and shimmer with Chappell Roan’s music. Looking at her, Chappell’s aesthetic is redefining her as a shiny maximalist—it’s like having a big disco ball just around you that completes the look. Hailing from the small town of Willard, Missouri, Chappell discovered her passion for songwriting early on, and her raw, unfiltered talent quickly garnered widespread attention.
Her music is campy af
Growing up in a musically enriched household, Chappell Roan was nurtured by her parents to explore her creative passions from an early age. She began gracing local talent shows with her performances and crafting her own songs, drawing inspiration from iconic artists like Lana Del Rey and Florence + The Machine. After that, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue music.
One of Chappell Roan’s standout songs is “Femininomenon,” the opening track on her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2023). It’s also her go-to opener for live shows. As we all know, Chappell Roan’s voice is powerful and expressive, allowing her to deliver moments of playful exuberance that many of her softer-voiced peers wouldn’t try.
Her glittery success
Chappell Roan’s voice carries the weight of real-life experience, unlike many rising pop stars who started as child actors. This isn’t a dig at Olivia Rodrigo, a big supporter of Chappell Roan, but the difference is clear. This might be why Roan’s popularity is soaring. Earlier this year, she opened for Olivia Rodrigo’s arena tour, performed a viral Tiny Desk Concert, and delivered a standout set at Coachella. Last month, she released the single “Good Luck, Babe!,” which has a Wham! vibe and became her first Hot 100 hit. While it’s not her best song, it’s still a jam.
A lesson in social media and tradional marketing
Pop star Chappell Roan’s success is a prime example: in 2024, social media and traditional marketing will be essentially one and the same.
Since Chappell Roan dropped her debut album, her Spotify fanbase has been skyrocketing. Is it thanks to her viral NPR Tiny Desk concert? Her catchy new single? Or maybe her buzz-worthy Coachella performance? While these all played a part, the real game-changer was opening for Olivia Rodrigo on her GUTS Tour, one of this spring’s hottest tickets.
In the past, one of the easiest ways to launch a new pop act was to have them open on tour for a bigger pop act. It makes sense that, as a smaller act, you get to play for much larger audiences.
It’s not just the crowd at the stadium fueling Chappell’s rise. There’s been a huge surge in chatter about Chappell Roan since Olivia’s fans started talking about her after she joined the tour, and it’s only gotten louder since. Every Olivia fan with a phone could be spreading the word. Mixing traditional marketing with the reach of social media (note: Olivia’s fans are young and active online) is a recipe for success.
CONCLUSION
Absolutely, all of this is crucial. But what will truly keep her flying high is her genuine nature and dedication to her community. She’s been honest about her mental health struggles and consistently supports drag queens, featuring them in her videos and having local queens open for her shows.
