- A Pop Star with an Unusual Look
Popstar Chappell Roan (26) is currently experiencing a meteoric rise and has been a fixture in the modern pop world since her latest hit "Good Luck, Babe!". What sets her apart from other successful musicians is her unique look.
The Road to Success
Roan now has over 35 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and her hits have each garnered hundreds of millions of streams. However, her success has been the result of years of hard work and several setbacks. After signing with Atlantic Records in 2017 and moving to Los Angeles, Roan achieved her first musical successes. Her single "Pink Pony Club" seemed to solidify her authenticity as an artist, but this led to her label dropping her, and she had to move back to her home state of Missouri in 2020. But giving up was not an option.
After a break, Roan returned to Los Angeles and released a series of songs in 2022. In September 2023, her debut album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" was released on her new label Island Records, leading to her musical breakthrough. Roan scored hits with songs like "Casual", "Red Wine Supernova", and "HOT TO GO!". Her listener count skyrocketed, and after performing as the opening act on Olivia Rodrigo's (21) "Guts" world tour, she gained even more popularity. Her performances at the Coachella music festival in April also went viral, further pushing her into the limelight.
The Unique Look
Many of Roan's fans are drawn to her iconic look beyond her music. She often wears her wild red curls loose and experiments with makeup, combining glitter with bright colors for dramatic effects. Growing up in a conservative, Christian household, it's hard to imagine Roan as she is now. She openly embraces her sexuality, which is also a recurring theme in her songs. In a June appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon (49), she explained: "My stylist Genesis Webb and I draw inspiration from drag, horror films, burlesque, and theater."
She continued, "I love looking beautiful and scary. Or beautiful and kitschy. Or just not beautiful. I love that too." On her "The Midwest Princess Tour", Roan supported local drag artists and explained in an interview with "Annabelle" magazine: "No one puts on a better show than a drag queen." She added, "Drag allows me to feel free, and I have no fear of being loud, queer, and hyperfeminine." This sentiment is clearly reflected in her fashion choices.
Outfits That Stood Out
Like her songs, Roan's outfits are often vulgar, funny, and provocative. She has sparked conversation with several of her looks. At the Grammy after-party in February, Roan wore a long, form-fitting dark red dress. The headpiece alone was elaborate, but she truly created an unforgettable look with her pig nose prosthetic.
One of Roan's most iconic looks was at her NPR "Tiny Desk Concert" in March 2024. With her ruffled pink princess dress, she embodied a disheveled '80s ballroom queen. She adorned her hair with butterfly clips and cigarette butts, and her lipstick was smudged on her teeth.
For her Coachella performances in April, the artist also thought of something special for each of her looks. For the first weekend, she wore a leopard print tights and a set inspired by fetish wear with the inscription "Eat me". The contrast was made by a colorful suit with check and stripe pattern, which was less vulgar but equally eye-catching. For her second festival weekend, Roan went one step further by presenting herself in a life-sized butterfly costume with sequins.
At the Governors Ball Music Festival in June, the singer offered a new fashion highlight. With green body paint and a matching wig, she wore a daring dress that represented her as the Statue of Liberty.
The singer also went for extravagance in the frame of the Jimmy Fallon "Tonight Show". For the interview with Fallon, she appeared in a black look inspired by Swan Lake with striking and elaborate feather decoration. Even more impressive was her makeup with pale foundation and extremely long white-black lashes. The blonde, curly wig was the crowning glory of the unconventional costume. For her later performance of her song "Good Luck, Babe!", she changed into a slightly altered white version of the outfit.
She's coming to Europe soon
On August 31, the singer will perform at the Berlin Columbiahalle. Originally, Roan was also supposed to appear at the Superbloom festival in Munich and at Lollapalooza Berlin, but she had to cancel these performances "due to some schedule changes", as she announced on Instagram. Nevertheless, the artist wanted to make sure she also plays for German fans. Other European shows will take place in Paris, Amsterdam and London, among others.
In an effort to connect with her European fans, Chappell Roan announced performances in Paris, Amsterdam, and London, in addition to her scheduled show at the Berlin Columbiahalle. Meanwhile, the rising pop star Olivia Rodrigo has invited Roan as the opening act on her "Guts" world tour, further boosting Roan's popularity.
