Chappell Roan just wants to be treated like a normal person.
But does it happen? No!
But does it happen? No!
What she really needs is for fans to realize that she is still a human being.
The singerās quick rise to fame can be attributed to her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, which came out in September 2023. She promoted her music on social media, which included the creation of a viral TikTok dance to her song āHOT TO GO!ā. Her virality only increased with appearances on late-night shows, performances in major festivals and during her tour.Ā
Additionally, members of the LGBTQIA+ community have recognized Chappell Roan as a queer icon, as she identifies as a lesbian and proudly acknowledges it in songs like āGood Luck Babeā, āFemininomenonā and āSuper Graphic Ultra Modern Girlā. Perhaps this personal touch to her music is why some fans feel so connected to the artist as a person.
Nevertheless, Chappell Roan has made it clear that being famous does not equal subjecting yourself to ācreepy behaviorā.Ā
In a recent TikTok, she said, āItās weird how people think that you know a person just ācause you see them online or you listen to the art they make.ā This was largely in response to fans stalking her, yelling at her on the street, and touching her without consent. Inappropriate fan behavior like this does not only take place face-to-face, but also online. The singer has received messages through social media both out of love and hate, targeted toward her as well as her family members.Ā
She isnāt the only artist to experience discomfort with obsessive fan behavior. Rapper Tyler, the Creator shared a similar attitude on the Mavericks podcast. He said that fans āwant to know who your sister is, and like, what you ate for dinner […] people donāt know personal boundaries anymore, and itās normalized.ā There are many celebrities who feel this way, and the conversation is only just beginning.
Back in July, a fan told Doja Cat that they wished she would state that she loves her fans. She responded on the app Threads, stating āI donāt tho cuz I donāt even know yāallā. Like other celebrities fed up with the consequences of fame, she aims to create distance between herself and her fans. While Doja Cat may have been more blunt than others, the backlash against her comments generated the same controversy: Does being successful in the music industry mean forfeiting the right to privacy?
For Chappell Roan, the answer is very clearly a ānoā. āI donāt care that this crazy type of behavior comes along with the job, the career field Iāve chosen,ā she posted. āI donāt care that abuse, harassment, stalking, whatever, is a normal thing to do to people who are famous […] Iām allowed to say no to creepy behaviorā. While some fans have expressed their discontentment in the comment sections of her recent Instagram and TikTok posts, even calling her āentitledā, many feel that she isnāt asking for too much. After all, when did asking for personal space and human dignity become ātoo muchā?
If she was any ordinary person, few people would think to harass her on the street or stalk her family members. But Chappell Roan has crossed the threshold of fame and may never experience anonymity again. It is not as if the artist has not expressed gratitude for all the love and experience that she has gained in the last year. But maybe becoming a celebrity shouldnāt have to mean never being able to exist in public without fear of harassment. Feelings of discomfort in her situation are completely understandable, especially given the speed at which she rose to fame.Ā
Not every celebrity will speak out about their negative experiences with superfans, but it has become clear that Chappell Roan is not alone in her position. Itās time that we see celebrities as people, too, and treat them with the respect they deserve.