“Casual” single art used with permission by Amusement Records & KRA International Inc.

After the virality of her larger-than-life Coachella performances, Chappell Roan has gained over six million monthly listeners on her official Spotify. So, who is this artist, and how did she just appear out of nowhere?

After posting covers of various songs to YouTube in her teens, Roan was noticed by Atlantic Records, a music label that helped her produce and release her first EP in 2017 titled “School Nights.” The potential presented in the five-track project allowed Roan touring opportunities, opening for Vance Joy and Declan Mckenna.

In 2018, Roan moved to LA to continue exploring the future of her music career by exploring the talents of various songwriters and producers, eventually meeting then-underdog producer Dan Nigro. Together, they curated the ethereal pop song, “Pink Pony Club,” which was released in 2020 and inspired by her relocation to LA.

Although the song was praised by numerous reputable music journalists, Atlantic Records dropped Roan, claiming that she was not profitable enough for them. In 2021, Nigro’s success with his production of Olivia Rodrigo’s “SOUR” catapulted his demand. Roan was left labeless, producer-less and hopeless.

In her creative slump, she worked as a production assistant, nanny, barista and drive-through worker, unsure if it was even worth it to keep pursuing her crazy dream. Once more room reopened in Nigro’s schedule, his tough-love words of encouragement rekindled the flame Roan once had. Together, Roan and Nigro hit a streak of hit-singles that would introduce the world to the new Chappell Roan. Some of the songs released on their own include “Naked in Manhattan,” “Casual” and “Red Wine Supernova,” all of which were released independently.

Amidst the releases of these singles, Roan was selected as an opener for certain tour dates of Olivia Rodrigo’s “SOUR” Tour, Fletcher’s tour, and even headlining her own mini-tour. Eventually, it was announced that Roan would be releasing her debut album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” under a new label, Island Records.

On Sept. 22, 2023, Roan’s album release caught the attention of music critics worldwide. Outlets like Vulture, Rolling Stone, Billboard and Variety all spoke remarkably of the star-to-be, some even comparing her bold entrance to the music industry to that of Lady Gaga’s.

Since the album’s release, Roan has opened for Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour, extended her own headlining shows across America and appeared at numerous festivals, most notably her eclectic sets across the two weekends of Coachella. 

Her most recent release, “Good Luck, Babe!” which she describes as the “first song of the next chapter,” gained over 7 million streams in its first week, landing Roan her first Billboard Hot 100 entry at No. 77.

If there is one thing certain, it is that the name Chappell Roan will not be going away any time soon; with an increase in streams every release, Roan’s stardom has only just begun.