Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan, born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz on February 19, 1998, in Willard, Missouri, is an American singer and songwriter. She is widely recognized for her camp- and drag-influenced artistic identity. Roan first achieved major global success following the release of her single "Good Luck, Babe!" and her debut studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.

Raised as the eldest of four children in a conservative Christian environment, Roan attended church frequently and spent summers at religious camps. She began playing piano around age ten, took formal lessons at twelve, and won a school talent show at thirteen. As a teenager, she uploaded cover songs and original material to YouTube while performing locally in Missouri. She completed her secondary education a year early at Willard High School to pursue her career.

In late 2014, Roan uploaded her original composition "Die Young," which led to musical showcases and a record contract with Atlantic Records in May 2015. She adopted her professional name in 2016 in memory of her grandfather, Dennis K. Chappell, combining his surname with a word from his favorite song. After releasing her debut EP School Nights in 2017, she relocated to Los Angeles in 2018. Later that year, she began collaborating with producer Dan Nigro. In 2020, she released the single "Pink Pony Club," but Atlantic dropped her from the label shortly afterward due to a lack of profitability.

Following her departure from Atlantic, Roan worked odd jobs and briefly returned to Missouri before securing a publishing contract with Sony in early 2022. Reconnecting with Nigro, she released "Naked in Manhattan" as an independent artist and recorded backing vocals for Olivia Rodrigo. She served as an opening act on tours for Rodrigo and Fletcher and subsequently released the independent single "Femininomenon." In March 2023, she signed with Nigro's Amusement Records in partnership with Island Records.

Roan launched her headlining Naked in North America Tour in early 2023, incorporating drag performers as opening acts. She released her debut studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, in September 2023 alongside the Midwest Princess Tour. The album gained significant traction in 2024, peaking at number two on the US Billboard 200. Her April 2024 breakout single, "Good Luck, Babe!", reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, accelerating her commercial recognition and streaming numbers.

Roan's accomplishments include winning Best New Artist at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, the BBC Sound of 2025 title, and the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. Her debut album produced the multi-platinum track "Hot to Go!", while "Pink Pony Club" and her 2025 single "The Subway" both reached number one on the UK singles chart. She has continued to release music, including "The Giver," and perform on major festival stages and headlining tours.