A New Queer Pop Icon
Chappell Roan is without question pop music’s It girl of 2024. Her glittery futuristic pop owes a heavy debt to ’80s dance music and she brings drag aesthetics into pop music in ways that recall Madonna and Lady Gaga. Theatrical in the best sense of the word, Chappell is an enormously entertaining performer. Her presence is at once campy and sincere; her shows are spectacles.
The story of how a singer born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz constructed the alternate identity of Chappell Roan and the glittery universe she inhabits all comes down to songcraft and an exceptional voice. Chappell can not only write a killer hook—the kind meant to be sung-screamed at the top of your lungs—she can sell it live. People leave her performances singing choruses and wanting more. That’s one reason why her most recent tour struggled with the enviable problem of having to shift from venues for 600 people to spaces that accommodate 6,000 or more. It’s also why Chappell Roan has become your favorite artist’s favorite artist. In the pages of this special issue, we look at Chappell Roan’s rise to the top, her ups and downs in the music business, her best songs and music videos, and her personal struggles. This magazine is packed with essential info and rare photos, along with 12 stickers to declare your membership in the Pink Pony Club.
