Chappell Roan: Good Luck, Babe! singer calls out being 'harassed'
Chappell Roan Speaks Out Against Creepy Fan Behavior
Picture credit, Getty Images
Chappell Roan's first album reached the top spot on the UK charts this month.
American singer Chappell Roan has spoken up about the unsettling actions she has encountered both in person and on the internet as her popularity grows.
She posted two TikToks where she expressed feeling "harassed" and talked about her family being "stalked", facing online bullying, and receiving verbal abuse from people in cars.
Chappell's first album, titled The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, topped the Official Chart in August.
Her two posts on the app have been seen over 12 million times combined.
"I am not bothered by the fact that celebrities or somewhat known individuals are commonly subjected to abuse and harassment," she mentions in one of the video clips.
I am not concerned about what is considered typical or expected. Even if this behavior is commonly seen in the profession I have chosen, it does not justify it.
Chappell has emerged as one of the top pop stars this year, with his song "Good Luck, Babe!" gaining immense popularity in the US and globally.
Well-known celebrities like Adele and Lady Gaga have helped boost her fame, with Adele calling her "amazing" and "outstanding".
"It's strange how some people believe they truly know someone simply from following them online and appreciating their artwork," she adds in her blog post.
I have the right to reject creepy actions.
Just because I am a singer doesn't automatically mean that I desire it or enjoy it.
I don't mind if you believe it's selfish of me to decline a photo, your time, or a hug. That's not typical, that's strange.
In her comment, she mentioned that her post was not related to any particular individual or event.
"This is only my perspective and how I'm feeling."
Picture credit, Getty Images
Chappell Roan is most likely a popular choice among other artists, with Adele and Lady Gaga counting themselves as fans of her music.
Chappell isn't the only well-known person to caution fans about crossing boundaries, or to establish limits for their fans due to challenging situations.
In 2022, celebrity Keke Palmer shared on her social media that it's important to respect boundaries, even if it's not about sexual consent. She talked about a troubling experience of being recorded without her permission while at a bar.
Justin Bieber has announced on Instagram that he will no longer be posing for photos with fans.
The famous Canadian actor expressed a desire to "maintain his mental well-being", as being constantly asked for selfies made him feel like he was being treated like an "exhibit in a zoo".
Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke has chosen to decline photo requests.
During an appearance on the Table Manners podcast last year, she shared about two interactions with supporters: one who interrupted her on a flight to request a picture and another who approached her while she was in distress at an airport.
Emilia stated that she would rather autograph something instead of taking a selfie. She explained that by signing an item, she is able to have a meaningful interaction with the person, rather than just quickly taking a photo and leaving.
Afterwards, you engage in conversation and share honest exchanges as two individuals connecting.
Picture credits: Getty Images
The dynamic between Chappell and her fans is a type of one-sided relationship known as a parasocial relationship.
Dr. Veronica Lamarche, who specializes in social psychology and researches relationships at the University of Essex, refers to it as an "unbalanced relationship".
Dr. Lamarche explains to Newsbeat that we frequently look to celebrities and believe that they can assist us in meeting our emotional requirements, sometimes even more so than our actual friends.
She warns that not establishing clear limits on what we expect can lead to harmful situations.
When you finally have the opportunity to meet someone in person, you may believe that they will become your close friend and share the same level of affection for you as you do for them.
"However, the truth is that the famous person you've been idolizing is completely unaware of your existence."
For those individuals, it can be unsettling because they perceive your behavior as overly casual or informal towards them.
According to Dr. Lamarche, parasocial relationships have been around for a long time, but with the advent of social media, we now have a consistent feeling of engagement.
When you see a post from your favorite celebrity on Instagram and leave a comment, it may seem like you're engaging in a dialogue, but in reality, it's just a one-way interaction.
Many fans may feel upset or let down by Chappell Roan's recent statement, according to her.
It's normal because someone we look up to is pointing out our mistakes, which can be painful and feel like rejection.
However, it is also crucial to respect the boundaries that these individuals are establishing for their well-being.
Fans Praise Her For Her Actions
Newsbeat has been interviewing Chappell Roan admirers about her TikTok videos, such as 20-year-old Leah from Birmingham.
"I really commend her for that," she remarks.
"You can't possibly understand the struggles and pressures of being a celebrity, and since super fans idolize them, we hold them to impossibly high standards of perfection."
Olivia, a 25-year-old London resident, shared with Newsbeat that Chappell's rise to fame has been rapid and must be quite overwhelming.
I understand why some fans may feel she is too assertive, but it is her right to be passionate and protective of her safety and boundaries.
Tune in to Newsbeat at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday to stay updated, or catch up by listening here later.
