The music industry is brewing with upcoming artists, and Chappell Roan is a great example of how internet fame can bring new artists to the spotlight.
Since early 2024, Roan’s songs have been all over the social media app TikTok. However, it wasn’t until the dance for her song “HOT TO GO!” was released that she became the newest celebrity sensation.
According to Constance Grady, in her article “Chappell Roan spent 7 years becoming an overnight success” for “Vox Media” Roan’s fame has seemingly appeared overnight, and so has her name of the future of pop lists all over the industry.
Roan has since taken over Billboard’s Top 100 charts and rising pop “Spotify” playlists, but just months before her rise to fame, Roan had moved back home and began working as a drive-through worker at a local coffee shop. She spent days working, brainstorming ideas on how to get her name out there.
At the same time she spent saving money and planning her next career move, Roan’s song “Good Luck Babe!” spread like wildfire all over TikTok.
Just like that, Roan’s career took off at a tremendous rate. Her songs gained millions of streams on Spotify alone, and she quickly became one of the newest pop sensations.
For some listeners, however, it isn’t just the music that keeps Roan in the spotlight. The LGBTQ and drag community can’t get enough of Roan and the representation she brings to the community as a queer pop artist, especially her drag-inspired makeup looks she wears on stage.
Beauty Beyond Drag Productions, a group of drag performers in Grand Rapids, Mich., even included “Pink Pony Club” and “My Kink is Karma” during Drag Bingo at Ferris.
It’s clear that Roan is building a strong fan base that will continue supporting her through her newfound fame and future. However, this does not mean the sudden fame has not taken its toll on her.
According to “Rolling Stone,” Roan has been quick to reveal a statement about protecting her personal life. With stalking and harassment online and in person, it is clear that Roan felt invaded and mistreated. Roan stated in her video posted across her media in August she doesn’t care how normalized obsessive fan behavior has become. No artist deserves to have their personal life invaded as she has over the past few months.
Fans were quick to support her statement and call out the behavior of these fans. With the statement from Roan and the support it gained, the pop industry is backing her up and spreading more awareness as more celebrities begin to speak up.
With her involvement in the LGBTQ community, plus the future of pop labels being put on her according to music streaming platforms across the internet, Roan will continue to stay in the spotlight. Roan’s years of work and dedication have paid off all because of a TikTok trend, and she may be the biggest viral internet star to work her way to fame yet.