Chappell Roan is making it clear that she won’t be silenced—both through her music and her outspoken personality. In a recent BBC interview published on January 19, the rising pop star opened up about the challenges she’s faced, including being labeled a “spoiled diva” and receiving backlash for speaking her mind. She discussed the difficulties of dealing with harassment and stalking, especially when it involved people targeting her parents’ home, and how her efforts to stand up for herself have led to negative reactions.
“I’ve been responding that way to disrespect my whole life,” Roan shared, explaining how she has always fought back against mistreatment. However, with the added spotlight as a pop star, those reactions are now being scrutinized by the public. She pointed to a viral moment at the MTV Video Music Awards last September when she confronted a photographer as an example of how her behavior was criticized, despite feeling justified in her actions.
Despite her boldness, Roan, who is nominated for six Grammy Awards this year—including Best New Artist and Album of the Year—admitted that her willingness to speak out has affected her career. “I think, actually, I’d be more successful if I was okay wearing a muzzle,” she confessed. She reflected on how ignoring her instincts to stand up for herself could have led to greater success, saying, “If I were to override more of my basic instincts…I would be bigger. I would be way bigger.”
Roan’s career took a brief pause in October when she decided to focus on her health, delaying her 2024 tour. Even with the potential career impact, she’s remained firm in her principles, thanks in part to lessons learned from her late grandfather. He taught her to trust her instincts, which has empowered her to stay true to herself, even when faced with major opportunities.
She also shared her belief that opportunities are abundant, saying, “There is not a scarcity of opportunity. I think about that all the time.” Her grandfather’s wisdom also influenced her attitude toward turning down once-in-a-lifetime opportunities if they don’t feel right. For example, when told that a certain concert would be her last chance for a big paycheck, she shrugged it off, adding, “If I don’t feel like doing this right now, there are always options.”
While Roan has mixed feelings about the Grammy Awards—referring to them as a “talent show for the popular kids”—she expressed gratitude for being nominated. On her appearance on Carpool Karaoke Christmas, she acknowledged how special it was to be recognized by the Recording Academy, noting, “It’s an honor to be nominated with some of the other artists.” Despite the fame and accolades, Roan remains focused on staying true to her values and trusting her gut.