Since the release of her breakthrough single “Good Luck, Babe!” in April 2024, Chappell Roan has skyrocketed to fame. This newfound recognition has come with many awards and achievements, including being named Best New Artist at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards and reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Artist 100 list.
However, Roan’s fame has also come with unique challenges that she has been transparent about in her path to stardom. In August, she posted two videos to TikTok discussing invasive fan behavior. The next month, Roan pulled out of a festival performance at the last minute, citing her health and well-being. Both decisions drew backlash from fans and critics, but how much of this was warranted?
Fans are allowed to be—and probably should be—upset that an artist they have spent hundreds of dollars to see has canceled their shows, incredibly so close to the performance date. However, fans deprive their favorite artists of that respect in demanding respect from musicians. Roan deserves the opportunity to step back from the spotlight and focus on her health, especially considering the magnitude of her fame and the short timeframe in which she attained it. Her actions regarding her performance cancellations have not been perfect, and she should learn from this situation. However, the fans criticizing Roan for prioritizing her well-being are also dehumanizing her.
Additionally, the expectation that celebrities like Roan always readily interact with fans is unsustainable. While the recognition and admirers inevitably come with the fame she has attained, harassment and stalker-like behavior should not be unavoidable. Roan is not unreasonable in setting boundaries, and she is not ungrateful for declining photos and hugs from fans. Roan is a real person, and regardless of how well her fanbase thinks they know her through the Internet, she deserves basic human decency.
Overall, Roan’s experience is only one example of the struggles that celebrities, especially women, face as they grapple with the harsh expectations and predatory fan behavior that come with stardom. As she becomes more vocal about these challenges, hopefully, her story can catalyze a significant shift in society’s perception of celebrity culture.
