Chappell Roan, American singer and songwriter, has become a well-known popstar after her performance at Coachella 2024.
She shocked the world with her upbeat and fun style of music, releasing her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess in 2023 and her single “Good Luck, Babe!.” In 2024, she gained popularity among people online. However, this mass popularity has brought controversy.
On Aug 19, 2024, Roan posted two videos to her TikTok page. In these videos, she describes how she feels uncomfortable with the paparazzi coming up to her and taking photos of her when she doesn’t want them to. She wants to set her boundaries between her life as a superstar and her life as a person.
She said, “would you go up to a random woman in public and ask her for a picture?” and speaks about how weird it is for people to come up to her in public. Fans have become divided after these posts.
People on TikTok say she should be grateful for her fans and it’s part of the celebrity life, while other people on TikTok say she is right to set boundaries with her fanbase.
Chappell posted on her Instagram story: “This situation is similar to the idea that if a woman wears a short skirt and gets harassed or catcalled. It is not the woman’s duty to suck it up and take it; it’s the harasser’s duty to be a decent person, leave her alone, and respect her.” Some people on Instagram say this was not a comparable situation, although others on TikTok defend her.
Waterford High School junior Emma Lutz said, “I think she should have brought this to light. The paparazzi and crazy fans need to be put in their place. They remind me of ants in your house. An invasion that is impossible to get rid of.”
Another junior Emma Kidd said, “I think it’s a good thing that celebrities are finally speaking up for themselves instead of having to stay silent. However I think she needs to acknowledge that her fans are the ones who reach this level of fame, if someone politely asked her to take a picture, just take the picture.”
This story can show how Chappell Roan may be able to change the way people treat celebrities, however, in her recent VMAs interview, Roan voiced how people have been respecting her and her boundaries.
