Chappell Roan, the rising pop sensation known for her authenticity and openness about her mental health, recently had another viral moment after calling out a photographer on the red carpet at the premiere of Netflix’s Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts World Tour concert film. Roan, an opening act on Rodrigo’s tour, publicly demanded an apology from a photographer she accused of being “so disrespectful” to her during a previous interaction at the 66th Grammy Awards.
In a video circulating on social media, Roan confronted the photographer, recalling the incident from the Grammy party in February. “You yelled at me at the Grammy party,” she said. “I remember. You were so rude to me, and I deserve an apology for that.” As the situation escalated, another individual tried to redirect Roan down the red carpet, but her point had been made: she would no longer tolerate disrespect from the media.
This isn’t the first time Roan has faced challenges with the paparazzi. Last month, she was involved in an expletive-laden confrontation with a different member of the press at the MTV Video Music Awards, as seen in videos shared by Variety and The Associated Press. Despite her rising fame, Roan has consistently spoken out about the complexities and struggles that come with the spotlight.
Roan, born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, has been candid with her fans about her personal journey, especially regarding her mental health. Diagnosed with bipolar II, Roan has frequently shared how the condition impacts her emotional regulation and response to success, which has been both rapid and intense following her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Released in September 2023, the synthpop album has achieved commercial success, recently peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Despite her achievements, Roan’s rise in the music industry has not come without challenges. She has been open about managing fame alongside her mental health, revealing in a 2022 Instagram post the rigorous mental health support she relies on. “I’m diagnosed bipolar II, and it’s been pretty hard to keep together and release these songs,” she shared. “I’ve been in intensive outpatient therapy and individual therapy four days a week… it affects me daily and is a pretty big part of my music.”
Her refreshing honesty and vulnerability have endeared her to fans worldwide, who appreciate her advocacy for mental health awareness. With her career in full swing, Roan’s bold and outspoken approach continues to set her apart in an industry often focused on image over authenticity.
