Chappell Roan: Good Luck, Babe! singer calls out being 'harassed'

Chappell Roan Calls Out Fans For 'creepy' Behavior

Chappell Roan's first album reached the top spot on the UK charts this month.

American singer Chappell Roan has spoken out about the unsettling actions she has encountered both in real life and on the internet as her popularity grows.

She posted two TikTok videos expressing that she feels like she is being bothered and mentioned that her family is being followed, cyberbullied, and shouted at from passing cars.

Chappell's first album, titled The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, topped the Official Chart in August, claiming the number one spot.

Her two posts on the app have been seen over 12 million times altogether.

"I am not bothered by the fact that mistreating and bullying are considered commonplace behaviors towards individuals who are well-known or somewhat known," she remarked in one of the video clips.

I am not concerned about it being common. I am not concerned that this wild behavior is expected in the industry I have entered. That does not make it acceptable to me.

Chappell has had a great year as a popstar, with their song, Good Luck, Babe!, becoming a popular hit in the US and internationally.

Well-known celebrities like Adele and Lady Gaga have helped to boost her fame, with Adele calling her "amazing" and "impressive".

She goes on to say that it's strange how some people believe they truly understand someone just because they follow them online and appreciate their creative work.

I have the right to refuse uncomfortable actions.

Just because I am a singer doesn't necessarily mean that I desire or enjoy it.

I don't mind if you consider it selfish of me to decline a request for a photo, your time, or a hug. That is not typical, that is unusual.

In the words she wrote below her post, she mentioned that it wasn't related to any particular individual or event.

"This is only my perspective and how I feel."

Chappell Roan is probably the artist that many of your favorite artists admire, with Adele and Lady Gaga counting themselves as fans.

Chappell is not the only well-known figure who has cautioned followers about crossing the line, or established limits for their supporters due to challenging situations.

In 2022, entertainer Keke Palmer shared on her social media account that it is important to respect boundaries and understand that "no" should be respected in all situations, not just in regards to sexual consent. She recounted feeling violated after being captured on film without her permission while in a bar.

Justin Bieber has stated in the past that he no longer wants to take photos with fans, as he expressed on Instagram.

The famous Canadian actor expressed his desire to maintain his mental well-being, noting that constant requests for selfies made him feel as though he were being treated like an animal in a zoo.

Actress Emilia Clarke from Game of Thrones has also chosen to decline requests for photos.

During an episode of the Table Manners podcast in 2019, she shared about two interactions with supporters: One person approached her on a plane for a selfie, and another requested a photo while she was upset and feeling anxious at an airport.

During that moment, Emilia expressed her preference for signing items instead: "When you sign something, you create a connection with that person, rather than just taking a selfie and leaving."

Afterwards, you start a conversation and engage in a genuine, human-to-human interaction.

The connection between Chappell and her fans is an example of a parasocial relationship.

Dr. Veronica Lamarche, a social psychologist and researcher who studies relationships at the University of Essex, characterizes it as an "unbalanced relationship".

Dr. Lamarche explains to Newsbeat that we frequently rely on celebrities and "feel as though they can assist us in meeting our emotional desires" - sometimes even more than our actual friends.

She explains that not setting healthy boundaries with expectations can lead to dangerous situations.

When you finally meet someone in person, you may have high expectations that they will become your close friend and share the same level of admiration for you.

However, the truth is that the famous person you admire has no knowledge of your existence.

"So it can be very unsettling for them as they perceive you as being overly friendly with them."

According to Dr. Lamarche, parasocial relationships have been around for a while, but social media has made us feel like we are always interacting with others.

When you engage with your favorite celebrity's Instagram posts by leaving comments, it can feel like you're actively participating in a conversation with them. However, in reality, it's just a one-sided interaction.

Many fans could be feeling upset or let down by the recent comments made by Chappell Roan, according to her.

This is normal because someone we look up to is pointing out our mistakes, which can feel like rejection and cause emotional pain.

"It is also essential to respect the healthy limits that these individuals are establishing for themselves."

Fan's Response: 'I Praise Her For It'

Newsbeat has been interviewing Chappell Roan fans about her content on TikTok, including 20-year-old Leah from Birmingham.

"I truly commend her for that," she states.

"You don't understand the struggles and sacrifices that come with being famous. Stans idolize them and place them on a pedestal, expecting perfection constantly."

Olivia, a 25-year-old London resident, shared with Newsbeat that Chappell has experienced a rapid rise in popularity. It must be quite overwhelming.

Some people might believe that she is overly aggressive about it, but she has the right to be passionate about defending her safety and setting her limits in life.

Tune in to Newsbeat for the latest updates at 12:45 and 17:45 on weekdays, or catch up on past episodes here.