Chappell Roan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chappell Roan
Roan in 2023
Born	Kayleigh Rose Amstutz (1998-02-19) February 19, 1998 (age 27) Willard, Missouri, U.S.
Occupation	Singer songwriter
Years active	2014–present
Works	Discography
Relatives	Darin Chappell (uncle)
Musical career
Genres	Pop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Atlantic Island Amusement
Signature

Kayleigh Rose Amstutz (born February 19, 1998), known by her stage name Chappell Roan, is an American singer and songwriter. She is known for her fun, colorful, and over-the-top style, which is inspired by drag queens.

Roan's first album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2023), was released by Island Records and received great reviews. The album became very popular over time. In 2024, Roan became famous worldwide with her single "Good Luck, Babe!". The song was a top-five hit in the U.S. and many other countries. This success helped her album climb the charts, reaching number one in the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand. Several other songs from the album, like "Hot to Go!" and "Pink Pony Club", also became hits.

At the 67th Grammy Awards in 2025, Roan was nominated for the "Big Four" awards and won Best New Artist.

Early life

Kayleigh Rose Amstutz was born in Willard, Missouri, on February 19, 1998. She is the oldest of four children. Her mother is a veterinarian, and her father is a retired Naval Reservist who also helped manage the family's veterinary clinic. Her uncle, Darin Chappell, is a state representative in Missouri.

She grew up in a conservative Christian home. She attended church often and went to Christian camps in the summer.

Roan started playing the piano when she was around 10 years old. She first performed in public at age 13, when she won her school's talent show. When she was 14 or 15, she began posting cover songs on YouTube, which got the attention of record labels. She started writing her own songs as a teenager and graduated from high school a year early.

Career

2015–2022: How Her Career Started

In 2015, after posting her original song "Die Young" on YouTube, Roan signed a record deal with Atlantic Records. In 2016, she chose the stage name Chappell Roan. "Chappell" was her grandfather's last name, and "Roan" came from his favorite song, "The Strawberry Roan." Her grandfather, Dennis K. Chappell, had passed away from cancer that year.

On September 22, 2017, she released her first extended play (EP) called School Nights. She also toured as an opening act for the singer Vance Joy. In 2018, Roan moved to Los Angeles. She said this was the first time she felt free to be herself, which helped her write more personal songs.

In 2020, Roan released the song "Pink Pony Club". The song was inspired by a visit to The Abbey, a popular and welcoming gay club in West Hollywood. The song became a fan favorite. Later that year, Atlantic Records dropped Roan from their label because her music was not selling enough. She returned to Missouri for a while and worked at a drive-through, but she continued to write music on her own.

Roan performing at the Vogue Theatre in 2022

By 2022, Roan was back in Los Angeles working with producer Dan Nigro. She released the song "Naked in Manhattan" as an independent artist. She was also the opening act for Olivia Rodrigo's Sour Tour and for the singer Fletcher. Later that year, she released the singles "Femininomenon" and "Casual".

2023–2024: Breakthrough Success

In 2023, Roan started her first headlining tour, the Naked in North America Tour. Each concert had a different theme, and she encouraged fans to dress up in fun costumes. She also invited local drag performers to be her opening acts. That same year, she signed with Amusement Records, a label owned by her producer, Dan Nigro.

On September 22, 2023, Roan released her first full album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. To support the album, she went on the Midwest Princess Tour across North America and Europe. The album was named one of the best of 2023 by many publications, including Time magazine, Rolling Stone, and Vogue.

In early 2024, Roan opened for Olivia Rodrigo's Guts World Tour. She also performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and on NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert. In April 2024, she released the single "Good Luck, Babe!". The song is about a woman trying to deny her romantic feelings for other women. It was a huge hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and helping her album become popular worldwide.

In June 2024, Roan declined an invitation to perform at the White House for a Pride Month event. She said, "we want liberty, justice and freedom for all. When you do that, that's when I'll come." She spoke about her support for transgender rights and peace.

In September, Roan performed at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards and won Best New Artist. On November 2, 2024, she was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, where she performed a new song called "The Giver".

2025–present: "The Giver" and New Music

On March 14, 2025, Roan officially released "The Giver" as the second single for her next album. In June, she started a new tour called the "Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things Tour".

Artistry

Roan performing at the Hollywood Palladium in 2022

Roan co-writes most of her songs with her producer, Dan Nigro. Her musical style has been described as "dark pop" and "art-pop". She says her music is like a "fairytale version" of her real life.

Voice

Roan is known for her powerful voice. Even as a teenager, her singing was praised by artists like Troye Sivan. Critics have complimented her "near-perfect vocal stability" and soaring high notes during live performances.

Inspiration

Roan has said she is inspired by artists like Kate Bush, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey. She also credits artists like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Rihanna for inspiring her to write music.

Her unique makeup and fashion are inspired by drag queens, 1980s punk style, and horror movies. She has said her on-stage persona, Chappell Roan, is her drag character. She explained, "I'm a drag queen – whether you like it when women do it or not."

Cultural Influence

Roan's success has made her a major new star in pop music. She has been praised for her honesty and for celebrating her identity in her music and performances. She has inspired many young fans to be true to themselves.

In 2024, Roan gave a guest lecture at Harvard Medical School. Also, if you search her name on Google, a message appears that says, "Did you mean: your favorite artist's favorite artist". This is a reference to a line she said on stage, which she borrowed from her favorite drag performer, Sasha Colby.

Personal Life

Roan lives in Los Angeles, California. She is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and often writes about her experiences in her songs.

Though she was raised Christian, she no longer follows the church. She has been open about her diagnosis of bipolar II disorder and has said that therapy and medication are important for her mental health. She says the idea for her "tacky pop star" look came from talking about her inner child with her therapist.

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

Studio albums

• The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2023)

Awards and nominations

Tours

Chappell Roan performing at First Avenue on the Midwest Princess Tour in 2023.

Headlining

• Naked in North America Tour (2023)
• The Midwest Princess Tour (2023–2024)
• Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things Tour (2025)

Supporting

• Vance Joy – Lay It On Me Tour (2017)
• Declan McKenna – What Do You Think About The Car? Tour (2018)
• Olivia Rodrigo – Sour Tour (2022)
• Fletcher – Girl of My Dreams Tour (2022)
• Olivia Rodrigo – Guts World Tour (2024)

See also

In Spanish: Chappell Roan para niños