Aside from being one of the biggest musical acts of this generation, Chappell Roan is also known for pulling no punches when it comes to her beliefs and opinions. From her political stance and comments about parenthood to educating her fans on boundaries, it’s clear that she never sugarcoats what she has to say in order to avoid rubbing people the wrong way. Every time the “Pink Pony Club” singer opens her mouth, controversies always seem to follow — backlash is practically her nickname at this point.
However, contrary to popular belief, the Grammy winner actually does care about what people say about her. But it wasn’t something that happened overnight. The “Good Luck, Babe!” hitmaker admits she doesn’t really care what people say about the songs she makes. She can easily brush off any comments about her art, regardless of whether they’re good or bad. But when people started hating her for who she is, not just her work, the tone drastically changed. That’s when she started asking herself, “Damn. Am I the most insufferable bitch of our generation?”
Chappell Roan Admits the Backlash Gets to Her
For the singer, Chappell Roan is a persona. She doesn’t really care about what people have to say about the art Chappell Roan creates. But it hits differently when people start hating on Kayleigh Rose Amstutz — the real person behind the public persona she created as an artist. During a conversation with SZA for Interview Magazine, the singer said that she knows not everyone likes the way she speaks her mind. She added that she is now at a point where she’s assessing whether she’s truly “okay with the backlash” and if voicing her opinion on everything is “sustainable” for her career. SZA then asked if she “gave a f-ck about the backlash,” to which she responded:
“I didn’t, until people started hating me for me and not for my art. When it’s not about my art anymore, it’s like, “They hate me because I’m Kayleigh, not because they hate the songs that I make.” That’s when it changed,” said Roan. “When things are taken out of context, people assume so much about you. I didn’t realize I’d care so much. When it comes to my art, I’m like, “Bitch, you can think whatever you want. You are allowed to hate it with all your guts.”
SZA later confessed that it’s “comforting to know” Roan actually “give a f-ck,” especially for someone who appears unbothered about any hateful comments. “No, I give a f-ck,” Roan responded. “I don’t know if it will ever feel okay to hear someone say something really hateful about me.”
Chappell Roan Has Never Been One to Avoid Criticism
Whether it’s calling out a “disrespectful” photographer or airing her thoughts on her presidential picks, people have always been so critical of Roan. This also made others admire her even more, praising her bravery for voicing her opinion on various matters. She is, indeed, a complex character. The thing is, people just love to hate queer people in general. And the singer-songwriter isn’t exactly immune to that. She’s not afraid to take up space in a world that seems to have taken a step backward with recent legislation targeting the community. She has never backed down from expressing her views on LGBTQIA+ rights. That alone makes her a target already. On top of that, she’s also a woman with an opinion. People tend to hate an opinionated woman — a trait that the “Hot To Go” singer truly embodies. She’s hated and unfairly criticized, mostly because she refuses to behave a certain way. Oftentimes, everything she voices is something others are too afraid to express. Sadly, people sometimes distort her words, leading to misunderstandings.
While Roan isn’t perfect, as is the case with everyone, it’s also important to understand she’s a human being who has every right to demand what she believes is fair, whether it be in politics, her sexual identity, or the music industry. She also has the right to call out the way other people — and even her fans — treat her. People have different opinions at the end of the day, and the criticism against Roan isn’t new. She isn’t the first opinionated woman in the industry to face backlash for her opinions, comments, and views. Roan just happens to be the fresh face people just love to hate today.