Sophia Michaels
If you haven’t caught on yet, you should definitely check out Chappell Roan — she’s the rising pop sensation making waves everywhere, especially on TikTok. The artist has become close friends with major stars like Lorde and Lady Gaga. Her song “Good Luck, Babe!” is finally bringing her the acknowledgment she deserves after years of hard work.
Chappell’s career strategy is as fearless as her bold musical style. “I probably secured one of the best contracts in the industry by demanding what I wanted or I’d take matters into my own hands,” she told The Face. The results speak for themselves; her recent performance at Lollapalooza attracted an astonishing crowd of 110,000, and shortly after, she climbed to the top of Billboard’s Artist 100 and Top Album Sales Charts.
At first glance, she embodies the typical pop star with her bold anthems and extravagant attire. However, a deeper look reveals a life filled with struggles, from battling mental health issues to concealing her true identity. Here are some heart-wrenching aspects of Chappell Roan’s journey.
She was diagnosed with severe depression
Despite her meteoric rise to fame, Chappell Roan’s reality is far from perfect. The spotlight that brought her fame also exposed her to feelings of isolation and despair. Despite the adoration from fans, she struggled immensely, leading to a depression diagnosis that caught her by surprise.
“I go to therapy twice a week and recently learned from my psychiatrist that I have severe depression, which I didn’t realize because I didn’t feel ‘sad’ — I just exhibited every other symptom,” she explained in a September 2024 interview with The Guardian. This enlightening moment brought clarity to her struggles, including concentration difficulties and brain fog.
Moreover, Roan revealed that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2 in her early twenties, a condition she believes had roots in her childhood. “Being bipolar made my childhood a battle with depression and anger—many don’t realize they’re ill and need help,” she reflected, mentioning that initially, she felt alone in her journey until she discovered ways to cope. “Now, I’ve rewired my thinking to recognize my value in creating safe and joyful music,” she shared.
She hid her sexuality for years
Chappell Roan’s vibrant stage presence mirrors icons such as Lady Gaga but is rooted in her challenging upbringing in conservative Missouri. Growing up, she felt constricted as everything she did was subject to criticism. “I always aimed to express myself boldly, but in my hometown, anything I wore was restrained by societal norms,” she explained to Headliner Magazine.
Her adherence to the societal standards of her conservative Christian community conflicted deeply with her emerging sexuality, leading to years of inner conflict. “I suppressed my gay identity because I didn’t think it could be part of me,” she told The Guardian. “In the Midwest, mental health awareness isn’t prioritized; the common approach is faith-based solutions rather than seeking psychiatric help.”
Despite the struggles, Roan’s origins significantly shape her artistry, providing a unique perspective that she values deeply. “I am grateful for my Midwest roots as they have enriched my creative expression and appreciation for diversity,” she remarked in an interview with The Washington Post.
