Another move happened in the fall of 2023. We landed in Columbus, and a few weeks or months later someone named Chappell Roan was playing a venue I’d never heard of as I was still a newbie in the midwest city. Fast forward not too long and Chappell Roan was everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Everyone was spelling with their arms to “HOT TO GO!” and soon enough “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Pink Pony Club” became inescapable forces. So if there was anyone I was going to crush on from this year’s nominees, it was the Midwest Princess.
Her career started humble, and I think that’s where she’s remained. However, an emboldened 20-something, pissed at the world around her and how it reacts to decency towards artists, LGBTQ+ people, and just everyday human beings – she speaks her mind whenever the chance arises. Her punk rock spirit is both admirable and inspired in a time where it would be just as easy for her to remain a silent pawn in the entertainment realm. She could have released a handful of versions of her album, but no – she kept it simple. Which is something more appreciated. Save the glitz and drama for the ensembles, dear.
I wanted to pen this before the Grammys, but alas – the children in my class got to me and now I’m Disturbed; down with the sickness. So I’m writing this at three past midnight on a school night with store brand NyQuil attacking my will to stay awake. I’m glad though. A performance from her was imminent. I wasn’t shocked she was up on that stage, even winning Best New Artist. Rightfully deserved. I felt she could’ve gone home with one or three more, but alas – a win’s a win, and it’s a huge one. Chappell joins the likes of Lauryn Hill, Christina Aguilera, and her bestie, Olivia Rogridgo in the long line of artists who impressed the academy with their debut offering to the world.
With her win, she took a moment to do what she does best, and that’s speak with nothing but earnest. Diary in hand, she directed her words at the music industry, the powers that be, and told them to start looking after artists, especially the indie ones who are just coming up. They deserve the basic human right of healthcare. She spoke of getting signed young, dropped, and then entering adulthood with zero work experience because she’d been going after her dream. Dreams should not cost artists their health especially when CEOs of these labels make more than enough. She ended her speech with, “Labels we got you, do you got us?”
Time will tell if Chappell Roan’s acceptance speech turned advocacy for artists will spark change, but it did help get the ball rolling on an issue that should have never been an issue in the first place.
Back to the music at hand though, Chappell Roan performed right after Sabrina Carpenter, another amazing performance of the night, as they really did kick off the Best New Artist showcase with their fellow nominees; Khruangbin, Shaboozey, Doechii (QUEEN), Teddy Swims, Benson Boone, and Raye. Every nominee did their own thing, but Roan, she did the damn thing. Atop a giant pink pony, she sang the forever anthemic “Pink Pony Club,” and just like when she did at ‘SNL,’ the crowd knew exactly when to belt their hearts out. This song, it’s evergreen and going to be around long after we’re said and done.
That’s part of the reason I think I crush so hard on Chappell Roan, she has that lasting level of talent that I look for in artists as a couch critic. Do I think she’ll be around in 20 years though? Honestly, I think she’ll back away from fame long before she really has to because of that punk rock mentality she has to do things her way, but the music – it’ll remain.
Crushgasm 
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