Have you heard the name “Chappell Roan” a lot lately? Or perhaps you’ve been hearing the constant singing of her songs on the radio, on your phone, or even in the halls at school? Twenty-six-year-old Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, more famously known as Chappell Roan, is taking the music industry by storm with her controversial and bold approach to fame. 

Roan was born to the Amstutz family in Willard, Missouri on February 19, 1998. Roan had an early start with music and began posting YouTube videos of singing her original songs in 2015. When she was 16, she posted her original song “Die Young” which gained recognition from Atlantic records. By the age of 17, Roan was signed with Atlantic records and released her first single, “School Nights.” Chappell Roan took on her famous name from her late grandfather, Dennis Chappell, who loved the song “The Strawberry Roan” by Marty Robbins.

Although Roan was producing music from a young age, this midwest superstar’s claim to fame began in 2024 when her song “Good Luck, Babe!” conquered the internet and shot up the Billboard Hot 100. Since the release of “Good Luck Babe!” Roan has gained nearly fifty million monthly listeners across several music platforms, an impressive feat with the huge surge of music in this day. Surprisingly enough, her album wasn’t “discovered” until nearly a year after it came out. So what is the true reason behind her immense popularity?

One main component is social media. Songs come and go through strands of popularity in the algorithm. One day, a song produced years ago can have seven listens, and overnight it could blow up. This is because of the unpredictable algorithm that apps like Snapchat, Tiktok, Youtube, and Instagram use.

Another reason she has marked music billboards as her own is because of her controversial opinions on politics. Many say that politics and controversy are the key to fame, and this seems to be the case for Roan. She is openly queer and a huge supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, often seen wearing extravagant outfits and drag makeup during her performances. She has been known to speak at her shows about bills against LGBTQ+ rights. This is why the queer community became attached to her from the get-go of her career. Although she has many supporters of this lifestyle, many people are against these views which brings a lot of back and forth about her. But all press is good press when you’re talking about fame, and Roan thinks of her new found stardom as a platform for her to speak out.

This superstar is changing the music community and breaking barriers that people would never have thought to be broken. She is a huge advocate for celebrity privacy and discretion and is never afraid to speak her mind. She is the kind of role model that our youth needs. 

Many students are completely hooked by Roan’s bold style and alluring music, feeling inspired by her captivating spirit. One claims “She’s very new in her style and the type of person she is, and especially that she is part of the LGBTQIA+ community. That’s a big part of why I’m drawn to her.”