On Aug. 19, artist Chappell Roan, known for her hits “Good Luck, Babe!” and “HOT TO GO!” shared a video on TikTok addressing inappropriate fan behavior. Instead of hearing Roan out and listening to what she had to say, people immediately began calling her “ungrateful” for her fame and success.
In the video, Roan discussed the unreasonable expectations put on celebrities, saying that she should be able to live life like a human being without being randomly approached, harassed or even stalked.
“I don’t care that this crazy type of behavior comes along with the job,” said Roan in her TikTok video. “That does not make it okay.”
While the intention of the video was to share Roan’s thoughts and set boundaries, people did not take it that way. While many fans showed support and respected her wish to be given space, others took to platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) to share their opinions.
X user @cheesejerkee shared a post saying “love her music but chappell roan (sic) seems like straight up not a nice person.”
Another X user, @ThePhoenixKingg said, “I agree with her very much but girl as a new artist you need to be clamoring for this kind of attention or you will inevitably fizzle out. Talent alone is, unfortunately, not enough to ensure longevity in the industry.”
Not everyone shared these same opinions, however. @TRlVIAMOR on X shared a post supporting Roan, saying “ngl i hate how the internet has made fun of chappell roan for being frustrated and setting boundaries out loud … women don’t owe u that when setting boundaries.”
Following the response from the public, Roan posted a written statement to Instagram on Aug. 23. In this post, she addressed the issues again, saying that she feels the most loved she ever has, but also the most unsafe due to people approaching her and harassing her.
Roan turned comments off on both her Instagram and TikTok posts, saying in her Instagram caption, “I turned off comments because I’m not looking for anyone’s response.”
While fans have a right to appreciate an artist they enjoy, approaching them in the street isn’t necessarily OK, especially when the artist speaks out against it. There are settings where this is appropriate — such as a meet-and-greet — but celebrities are people too, with families and lives outside of work.
For Roan, her Chappell persona and project is her work. When she’s not performing or working, she wants to be treated like a normal human being.
“I’m not afraid of the consequences for demanding respect,” Roan said in her Instagram caption.
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Roan has a right to these boundaries. She makes music for her fans, but she doesn’t owe them anything else. In the past, artists like Christina Grimmie and Selena have lost their lives to supposed fans acting in unusual and inappropriate ways. Roan has every right to protect herself and speak out against this behavior.
She doesn’t want to be touched or approached in the street, and she doesn’t want to be called by her legal name, Kayleigh. Just because someone is a fan of an artist’s work doesn’t mean that artist owes them anything. Outside of their work, they are still just human beings, and although people may enjoy the art they create, it doesn’t mean they know them as a person. Boundaries are important and necessary, especially in situations like this. No one should ever be made to feel unsafe by their fans.
“I don’t agree with the notion that I owe a mutual exchange of energy, time, or attention to people I do not know, do not trust, or who creep me out — just because they’re expressing admiration,” Roan said in her Instagram post. “Women do not owe you a reason why they don’t want to be touched or talked to.”
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