Chappell Roan's Queer Pop Revolution
It is not often that a young musician quickly becomes branded as a “queer pop icon” like Chappell Roan has, the drag persona of Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, a 25-year-old singer-songwriter from Willard, MO. With her catchy lyrics and over-the-top glam and glitz, Chappell Roan has been rapidly rising to fame, and capturing the hearts of queer people everywhere.
There are many things about Chappell Roan’s career that intrigue me. For one, the sheer quickness of her rise to fame is astounding. From uploading songs to Youtube at seventeen years old, to performing at Coachella, her progress is impressive. Besides that, Chappell Roan is a character that perfectly curates a drag persona that works wonders on stage. But the person behind that persona is just as interesting.
Not only did she grow up in a very religious household, she struggled with mental health throughout her youth. On May 16, 2022, Chappelle Roan released a post on Instagram with the caption “I’m diagnosed bipolar 2 and it’s been pretty hard to keep it together and release these songs.” Her vulnerability regarding her mental state is reviving–especially for other young queer people who feel alone in terms of mental illness and religion. The Christian community is not always accepting of queerness, and that can be extremely alienating to grow up accustomed to. But, Chappell Roan’s perspective on her upbringing is refreshing. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she says, “I feel like it's evolving. I don't identify with the Christian Church anymore right now, but I'm really glad that I was part of that community because I understand them. I understand that perspective”.
One of the reasons Roan is so captivating is because of her authenticity that leaks past her lyrics and into her lifestyle and the way she communicates with fans. She often shares on social media about her personal struggles with her mental illness, body image, and how she grapples with stardom. Watching videos of her Coachella performance, it’s obvious that her vocals are impressive, but beyond that, the way she finds herself on stage is mesmerizing. It’s as if she is telling the audience that it is okay to be weird, or that it’s preferable even. It creates a safe space for people to truly release and be themselves. A lot of women in pop feel the need to look perfect and beautiful in order to be successful in the industry. And they are not wrong. A lot of a woman’s success hinges on their beauty. But Chappell Roan is redefining what beauty means to her. In her Tiny Desk Concert, she purposefully sports red lipstick on her teeth. She dresses eccentrically and often dances to the point of ending up on the floor.
Queerness encapsulates a large variety of people, and somehow Chappell Roan makes them all feel welcome. Her eccentricness and authenticity are undeniable–for queer feminine people who want a place in pop- her pink dresses and queer lyrics create a wonderful space. I am beyond excited watching Chappell Roan rise to fame. She definitely deserves it for her musical talent, but the way she approaches her career is also extremely powerful and encouraging for queer people. She has spoken up about what it was like to be a queer child in a Christain household. She has posted and talked about her experience dealing with a Bipolar Diagnosis. And, on top of all of that, her makeup and outfits are experimental and bold.
Gay pop is not a new concept. It has been around for a long time, and influenced by many great performers like Elton John, Freddie Mercury, and George Michael. But there have not been many queer feminine women to take the throne on top of gay pop. Let alone, queer feminine women who wear pink cowboy hats and fluffy prom-like dresses.
We will likely continue to watch Chappell Roans career gain more and more momentum, because her songs and performances entice more than just the queer community. Most everyone can find a connection to authenticity and a chance to get weird. In her interview with Vanity Fair, she explains how sharing her queerness through music has changed how she feels about herself by saying “I am the queer community–it's allowed me to just feel queer, feel like a queer person and feel freedom in that. It's allowed me to feel safe on stage with the audience because I know a lot of people in the audience are queer and they just want to be there and have a good time.”
As we revel in the technicolor brilliance of Chappell Roan's ascent to pop stardom, it is clear that she is not just another musician; she is a force to be reckoned with—a whirlwind of glitter, honesty, and unapologetic authenticity.
Strike Out,
Indigo Carter
Saint Augustine
Editors: Maya Kayyal and Emmy Brutnell
Indigo Carter is a writer for Strike Magazine. She is an English major with a deranged love for Hello Kitty. You can reach her at @indigocarterr@gmail.com or on Instagram @prettypretty.princesss
