Chappell Roan Takes Home Grammy for the Best New Artist
Gen Z and LGBTQ+ Icon, Chappell Roan, took home her first Grammy for best new artist on February 2 at the coveted award show in Los Angeles
Roan rose to fame in 2024 with smash hits such as “Good Luck, Babe!,” “Hot to Go!,” and “Pink Pony Club,” along with her debut album, The Rise and Fall of the Midwest Princess, which skyrocketed to first place on the Billboard charts. To win the award, Roan beat a competitive list of talented young artists.
Best New Artist Nominees
- Chappell Roan
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Doechii
- Shaboozey
- Teddy Swims
- Benson Boone
- Khruangbin
- Raye
All the nominees performed their hit singles before the winner was revealed. Roan opened her act on a giant pink pony, performing “Pink Pony Club” after being introduced by friend and fellow pop star Olivia Rodrigo.
When the winner was finally announced, Roan made her way to the stage dressed like a princess, representing the queer and drag community she actively supports. She began her speech by thanking her fellow nominees, record label, and fans for their unwavering support.
She then pivoted to addressing a more serious issue: fair compensation and better support for artists in the recording industry. Roan highlighted her personal struggles as a young artist, recalling how she was dropped from a label with no job experience and health insurance.
“I got signed as a minor, and when I got dropped, I had zero job experience under my belt. Like most people, I had a difficult time finding a job during the pandemic,” she stated. “I could not afford health insurance. It was devastating to feel so committed to my art and be betrayed by the system.”
She ended with a powerful call to action: “Record labels, we got you, do you got us?”
Additional Grammy Nominations
Roan was also nominated for five other awards:
- Album of the Year (won by Beyoncé)
- Song of the Year (won by Kendrick Lamar)
- Record of the Year (won by Kendrick Lamar)
- Best Pop Vocal Album (won by Sabrina Carpenter)
- Best Pop Solo Performance (won by Sabrina Carpenter)
