26-year-old Kayleigh Rose Amstuz, better known as Chappell Roan, released her first studio album, “Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” on Sept. 22, 2023. She began writing in 2018. Roan states this album was inspired by her leaving a trailer park in Willard, Mo. to move to Los Angeles in order to pursue her music career.
Roan’s first album is considered a “Sleeper Hit,”. first gaining popularity after performing as an opener for Olivia Rodrigo’s “Guts World Tour” in early 2024. Shortly after, she performed at multiple big name music festivals such as Lollapalooza, Governors Ball and Coachella. Her Lollapalooza crowd recorded over 110,000 people, becoming the largest Lollapalooza crowd ever.
“Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” was on multiple lists for 2023 album of the year, including Rolling Stone, Variety, AOTY, Billboard and Time. 2024 is the year for “Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” to shine.
One of the most important things for me in relation to crowning Roan as the winner for Album of the Year is the way she is unapologetically queer. In an interview for “Q with Tom Power” she mentions how she found her queerness during the making of this album.
On Sept. 11 at the 2024 “MTV Video Music Awards”, Roan earned her first VMA award for Best New Artist. After winning, Roan said that this award was “for all the queer kids in the midwest, I see you, I understand you because I’m one of you. Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t be who you want to be.”
As a young queer person it is really important to see LGBTQ+ representation in the media. Musical artisits such as Renné Rap, Troye Sivan, Billie Eilish and Ethel Cain.
When multiple queer students at North Forsyth High School were questioned about what Chappell Roan meant to them, many had similar answers. The most popular response was that Roan allows them to be their true selves and feel seen through her music.
Many sources have rated the album very high lyrically. The media outlet for music “Pitchfork” states, “The pop singer’s full-length debut is a bold and uproarious introduction, buoyed by sturdy songcraft and steely indifference to good taste,” which is yet another reason for Roan to win Album of the Year.
