Chappell Roan’s debut album peaked at number one in the UK charts this month
US singer Chappell Roan has spoken out about the “creepy behavior” she’s been dealing with both in person and online as she becomes more famous. In two TikTok videos, she says she feels “harassed” and mentions that her family has been “stalked,” she’s been bullied online, and people have even yelled at her from car windows.
Her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, hit number one on the Official Chart earlier this month. The two TikTok posts have been viewed more than 12 million times combined.
In one of her videos, Chappell Roan says, “I don’t care that abuse and harassment are seen as normal for famous or semi-famous people. I don’t care that it’s considered normal or that this kind of behavior comes with the job I’ve chosen. That doesn’t make it OK.”
Chappell has become one of the year’s most successful pop stars, with her hit song “Good Luck, Babe!” gaining popularity in the US and worldwide. Established stars like Adele and Lady Gaga have praised her, with Adele calling her “phenomenal” and “spectacular.”
In her post, Chappell also talks about how strange it is when people think they know someone just because they see them online or listen to their music. She says, “I’m allowed to say no to creepy behavior. Just because I’m a singer doesn’t mean I want or like this attention. I don’t care if you think it’s selfish of me to say no to a photo, your time, or a hug. That’s not normal, it’s weird.”
In her caption, Chappell clarified that her post wasn’t about any specific person or experience, but was simply her sharing her side of the story and her feelings.
Chappell Roan is likely to be your favourite artist’s favourite artist, with Adele and Lady Gaga among her fans
No means no
Chappell Roan isn’t the only celebrity who has warned fans about crossing boundaries or setting limits because of difficult experiences.
In 2022, actress and singer Keke Palmer shared on social media that “no means no, even when it doesn’t pertain to sex,” after being filmed without her consent in a bar.
Justin Bieber also posted on Instagram that he was “done taking pictures” with fans because it made him feel like a “zoo animal.” He said it was important for him to “keep his sanity.”
Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke has also decided to stop taking photos with fans. On the podcast Table Manners in 2019, she talked about two uncomfortable encounters: one where a fan woke her up on a plane to ask for a selfie, and another where someone asked for a photo while she was crying and having a panic attack at the airport. Emilia said she now prefers to sign something instead of taking a photo because it leads to a real conversation and a more genuine human interaction.
Healthy boundaries
What’s happening with Chappell Roan and her fans is an example of a parasocial relationship. Dr. Veronica Lamarche, a social psychologist from the University of Essex, explains that this is a “one-sided relationship.” In these relationships, we often turn to celebrities to meet our emotional needs, sometimes even more than we do with our real friends.
Dr. Lamarche warns that it can become harmful if we don’t set healthy boundaries. When people finally get a chance to meet a celebrity in real life, they might expect that the celebrity will like them as much as they like the celebrity. But in reality, the celebrity doesn’t know them at all, which can make the celebrity feel uncomfortable because the fan is being too familiar.
Parasocial relationships aren’t new, but social media makes them more intense because it feels like we’re constantly interacting with celebrities. For example, when a favorite celebrity posts on Instagram and we comment, it can feel like a two-way conversation, but it’s still one-sided.
Some fans might feel hurt or disappointed by what Chappell Roan has said. It’s natural to feel that way because it’s like someone we admire is telling us we’re doing something wrong, which can feel rejecting. But it’s also important to understand that these celebrities are just trying to set healthy boundaries for themselves.
Fan reaction: ‘I praise her for it’
Newsbeat asked Chappell Roan fans about her TikTok posts. Leah, 20, from Birmingham, said she respects Chappell for speaking out. Leah believes that people often put celebrities on pedestals and expect them to be perfect, not understanding the pressures they face.
Olivia, 25, from London, mentioned that Chappell’s rise to fame has been very fast and overwhelming. She understands why some fans might think Chappell is being too strict, but she believes Chappell has every right to protect her safety and set boundaries.
