Chappell Roan: The Rise of a Midwest Princess

H-O-T T-O G-O

In past weeks, TikTok has been inundated with videos using an audio with this catchphrase. Accompanied by a similarly snappy dance, Chappell Roan’s song “HOT TO GO!” has taken over a substantial portion of this platform. This track is, however, not the only phenomenon that has captured the interest of popular culture. Chappell Roan herself is experiencing a meteoric rise to stardom. But why?

The persona of Chappell Roan is perhaps the first facet of the artist that draws one in. This stage name represents a drag alter-ego for Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, a 25-year-old Missouri native. Roan’s hair, makeup, and outfits are an indisputable part of her artistic image: unapologetically loud and campy, the accessories serve as a powerful prelude to the artist’s similarly vibrant musical style.

Though Roan’s musical beginnings were more akin to dark, angsty pop, her 2020 stylistic pivot with the release of the single “Pink Pony Club” aligned her with a much brighter sound and feel. Extending to her debut album in September 2023 entitled “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” Roan’s style is now predominantly inspired by ’80s synth and dance-pop. This style shift appears to have resonated with listeners; her popularity has steadily begun to soar.

Roan’s mastery of crafting catchy songs is undeniable. A majority of her songs on “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” are certified dance hits, offering punchy rhythms and clever lyrics. One needs only to look towards listener reactions to the lyric in “Red Wine Supernova” that goes, “I heard you like magic / I got a wand and a rabbit” to witness the enthusiastic reception Roan’s lyrics receive. This type of racy songwriting is a signature of Roan’s music and a large part of her appeal. She writes freely and, at times, explicitly about strip clubs, kinks, lust, sexual exploration, and most notoriously, oral sex in the song “Casual.” This type of lyrical limitlessness is exactly what listeners seem to be looking for. Combining this quality with her upbeat sound, Roan appears to feed Gen Z’s hunger for well-produced, relatable, but most importantly, deliciously fun pop music.

Roan also represents the changing values and sensibilities of younger generations on the TikTok platform. Aside from her lack of inhibition regarding topics of sex, she also incorporates queerness into every aspect of her artistry. Roan herself is queer and frequently features female love interests in her songs. Los Angeles and its gay community also feature prominently in her life and her work, particularly in the way Roan grapples with feelings of belonging between her native Missouri and her residence in LA. There is also the fact that Roan very openly draws inspiration from drag culture and drag queens. Between all of these factors, it is no surprise that the artist is quickly becoming considered an icon of queer pop.

Make no mistake: Roan does not skate by on aesthetic and image alone; at the core of her compelling act is a performer with tremendous vocal prowess. Her vocal range, strength, and distinct tone, combined with a unique yodeling quality, make every song a breathtaking experience.

Roan is magnetic precisely because she seems to care so little about how her image and music is received. This type of confidence and authenticity affords her an undeniable charisma. Yet, she still maintains an air of vulnerability and honesty as seen through underrated ballads like “Picture You” or even the internal struggles depicted in up-tempo “Pink Pony Club.” Roan consistently proves that beneath a glamorous, glittery exterior lies an interior of tremendous substance and promise. And though her record is titled “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” the only place this queer pop queen seems to be going is up.

—Staff writer Julia Hynek can be reached at julia.hynek@thecrimson.com.