Chappell Roan sparked a controversial conversation surrounding fan entitlement and behavior. In a recent tik tok video she claims she’s a “normal person” who deserves privacy like everyone else. Some are in strong support for the singer while others claim she’s “ungrateful.” Is setting strong boundaries even possible for such a famous person? 

 Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, known by her stage name Chappell Roan, is a 26 year old singer who recently rose to fame through her album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess.” Many of Roan’s songs have become instant pop sensations such as “Pink Pony Club” and “Good Luck, Babe!” through Tik Tok.

    Roan even had the opportunity to open for Olivia Rodrigo’s “Guts Tour” and perform several of her songs with Rodrigo. For a young performer, this may seem like a dream come true, but Roan claims otherwise. 

    Because Roan became popular so quickly, many believe she is an overnight success. This is far from the truth however. Although her music is incredibly popular and beloved, her songs that are going viral on Tik Tok now were the songs that got her dropped from her record label in 2020. 

    Ironically, the songs that got her dropped from her label are now the most popular songs on Spotify. Roan went from having small, personal and local performances to breaking Lollapalooza attendance records with over 110,000 fans wanting to see her perform. 

    Many famous celebrities and musicians make Tik Tok videos to either advertise or promote their upcoming releases. However, Roan recently created a Tik Tok where she pushed back against parasocial relationships and stated she is a “random woman.” 

    Despite stalking and harassment being universally seen as unacceptable and illegal, this video caused a massive conservation all over social media. It’s unusual to see celebrities address this type of fan behavior in such a blunt way. Some believe Roan’s experiences should not be described as stalking because of her fame and status. 

    Considering the way women have been historically abused in the entertainment industry, many are thrilled that Roan is standing up for herself. From a historical standpoint, young women in the entertainment industry have been exploited, abused, and mistreated by fans and their bosses for hundreds of years. 

    One example of this would be Marilyn Monroe and how she was sexually abused during her youth. Even today people disrespect her legacy by wearing her old clothing and destroying it (cough Kim Kardashian cough). 

    A more recent example would be Jennette McCurdy, the iCarly star who played the character Sam Puckett. In her famous memoir, McCurdy detailed her abusive relationship with her mother and how writers for iCarly would flirt with her despite large age gaps. At one point she even dated a writer on the show when she was 18 and he was in his thirties. 

    In one Tik Tok she posted, Roan states, “I feel the most unsafe I have ever felt in my entire life.” Unfortunately, her success has also come with possessive “fans” stalking her, finding her phone number, and finding out where her parents and siblings live.

    Roan asks multiple rhetorical questions in her videos such as, “‘Would you stalk [a random lady’s] family? Would you follow her around? Would you try to dissect her life and bully her online?’” in order to highlight her point.  

    Other fans are not thrilled with Roan’s stance though. Roan went on to say she will not take pictures with fans which upset many people. In their eyes if they spend time, money, and energy on their favorite artist, they want to see some appreciation back.

    Several fans think it is unfair to lump stalkers and excited fans in the same category and refuse to take pictures with anyone. But it is important to note Roan does not know who is a fan or stalker just by looking at them. 

    A large percent of fans and onlookers think Roan’s videos are strange because attention, good or bad, is a part of fame. To be a celebrity one must get followed by paparazzi, take pictures with fans, sign autographs, and sell their soul to the machine. 

    Is it even possible for someone to be famous if they are not constantly on for the camera? Many think it is a part of the job and Roan can not pick and choose what she wants. 

    This new discussion surrounding fame and how everyday people interact with celebrities has the potential to change what being a celebrity means. Whether fans are understanding or outraged will show how the future of celebrity culture plays out.