Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, professionally known as Chappell Roan, is a 26-year-old pop and synth-pop artist, who has recently exploded in musical acclaim. Originally from Willard, Missouri, the artist has climbed the music charts with her campy music and bold performances. Fans have probably heard her songs on TikTok, from “HOT TO GO!” to “Casual,” both songs are from her 2023 hit album, The Rise and Fall of A Midwest Princess. Chappell found herself riding the waves of fame this past summer, with trends circulating many of her current and older songs.
However, Roan had become a victim of cancel culture during the fall of 2024 right around the time of the 2024 general election. After posting videos related to the 2024 election, viewers were split over Chappell’s political claims. Chappell posted a TikTok video on September 24th, 2024, in which she encouraged “[to] learn about who [and] what they’re voting for” Chappell said. Chappell raises important notions of questioning authority and world leaders, all of whom shape the world through their policies and agreements. She continues to say that all of the statements she makes during interviews are nuanced and require critical thinking from those who hear them.
In her TikTok video, Chappell wishes to “be part of the generation that changes things for good, because we need it.” Later in the video, she argues that “actions speak louder than endorsements.” [@chappellroan]. After making this claim, Chappell began to experience immense political pushback from her more liberal fans.
Chappell also continues to explain that the reasons behind her choice not to endorse were due to candidate Kamala Harris’ lack of policies that adhere to glaring world issues, including the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Harris had yet to comment on a specific policy that would tend to the needs of thousands of displaced Palestinians, throughout the West Bank and Gaza. Chappell’s choice is commendable- her values are the main factor in her political decisions.
The idea that an artist could be canceled for choosing not to endorse a presidential candidate is baffling. In America, some of our core values circulate the ideas of free speech, and Chappell and her fans have always been outspoken in supporting these ideas. For Chappell to face an outpour of online hate for exercising her natural right is quite ironic.
Questioning world leaders isn’t otherworldly nor a recent development; individuals should all take the time to educate themselves on topics that affect themselves and their communities. But this incident extended past fans’ momentary hate. Almost three days later, Chappell canceled her appearances for two weekend dates for the long-anticipated All Things Go music festival.
Chappell clarified that her cancellation was due to her declining mental health since the incident, but fans were still naturally upset. The cancellation came at the very last minute, and many fans had already flown out to the festival’s location just to see the artist, who had already spent hundreds of dollars on flight and concert ticket costs.
Many fans found this hard to defend, “[…] I’m so angry. I get prioritizing your mental health but also when you commit to something, you follow through[…]” one fan commented on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Other fans took to Chappell’s defense, commenting that if individuals hadn’t reacted so poorly to the artist’s political stance and endorsement decision, she probably would have gone on with the festival. Personally, the move to cancel a concert date when experiencing a mental health crisis is understandable; if fans want their favorite performer to be able to put on their best show, they should allow them the grace of being able to take mental health breaks. Chappell’s image does lean towards the left politically, but that doesn’t immediately require her to endorse all democratic candidates. However, it does put her in a position to continue to speak on topics that she has mentioned before, such as taking inspiration from the drag community, which is a predicament she finds herself in now.
Overall, to cancel a concert at such short notice shows a lack of commitment to her audience and a lack of respect towards the dedicated fans who gave up time and money to see her. At the end of the day, Chappell has still remained prevalent in the media, with performances at the Grammys, to a new country single released in the past month.
