If you haven’t heard the name Chappell Roan, by now I’d be surprised. She is the most recent recipient of the VMA’s Best New Artist award, and her music is all over TikTok. Recently, she’s been getting a lot of attention because of her decision to cancel some tour dates. Additionally, fans are upset because she seems to be afraid of being famous. Let’s break it down.
Chappell Roan was supposed to perform in New York and Washington D.C. on the 28th and 29th of September. However, she took to her Instagram story not even 24 hours before the event to say, “Things have gotten overwhelming over the past few weeks and I am really feeling it.” Fans were upset by this announcement not only because of the vague nature of the news but also simply because of how short-notice it was. Most fans were likely already on their way to the festival waiting to see her performance when they learned that she would not be there. It should also be noted that a lot of people are upset by this decision because they see these pressures Chappell Roan is facing as just a part of being famous and saying things like, “She asked for it” or “This is what comes with being famous.” This is a highly debated topic because while some think that she should get used to it, others feel that the way celebrities are treated is unfair and they are dehumanized. Regardless, she could have made more of an effort to alert fans of her absence from the show.
Another issue surrounding Chappell Roan came about after a statement she put out saying how she feared being stalked due to her fame. This is certainly a valid fear, and is inexcusable whether someone is famous or not. However, where people start to take issue is when she began discussing how difficult it was to interact with fans on a daily basis. She says, “I don’t [care] if you think it’s selfish for me to say no for a photo, for your time, or for a hug. That’s not normal. That’s weird.” Of course, celebrities are entitled to say no when asked for photos, but to call this abnormal behavior is simply false. Many fans want to take pictures with their idols, and by choosing to pursue a career involving fame, Chappell Roan and other celebrities must be ready to accept this fact. She goes on to say that this behavior is “abusive” and “harassment”, making bold claims and generalizations. There is, of course, the perspective that the lifestyles of celebrities would be a difficult one to uphold and can feel very invasive at times. However, fans continue to stand by the fact that Chappell Roan has pushed for her music to reach a larger audience and with that needs to accept the things that come with fame.
These controversies have reached countless people both fans and spectators alike. While both of these issues are regarding sensitive topics, many people put their opinions out there anyway. It seems that these are issues that may never be resolved because both parties stand firm in their beliefs on the subject. So it is up to each individual to decide how they feel about it. How do you feel?
