Chappell Roan: Pop, Politics & Parenthood

Let me start by saying this: I was already a big fan of Chappell Roan. But after watching her recent interview on Call Her Daddy, I’ve gone from fan to full-on, glitter-covered, mascara-streaked, megaphone-holding STAN.

Why? Because while some people seem to be losing their minds over a few comments she made, I watched the podcast with the intention of really listening, and what I saw was a Queer woman being deeply vulnerable, painfully honest, and refreshingly human.

Let’s talk about the two points that seem to be at the centre of the current discourse: parenthood and politics.

Chappell Roan on Call Her Daddy podcast on YouTube

1. “All my friends who have kids are in hell.”

This is the quote people are clutching their pearls over. But are they conveniently forgetting the comment she makes immediately before that?

“I don’t even know if I’ll be able to marry my girlfriend.”

Can we pause on that for a second?

In a time where anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is literally creeping its way across the US like an unwanted ex, that fear is not hypothetical. It's real. It’s terrifying. And it’s something many LGBTQ+ folks are quietly grappling with right now, especially those of us who, for once, dare to dream about weddings and family and future.

So yes, Chappell follows that up with saying all her friends who have kids are in hell. And honestly? She was speaking about her friends. Not yours. Not your mum’s cousin’s best friend who loves being a parent. Her friends - who, by the way, probably shared those sentiments with her in confidence.

I’m a Queer woman in my mid-thirties, and I’ve got to say - I felt seen. I’ve watched plenty of people I love become parents and go through a total identity crisis, not sleep for three years, and have zero time for themselves. Is that everyone’s experience? No. But is it a valid one? Absolutely.

Chappell voicing that, out loud, unapologetically, validates the feelings of so many people who are constantly being told that the ultimate joy in life is to reproduce. For some of us, that’s not the reality. And it’s high time we stop treating that as taboo.

Let’s not forget: the idea that a woman’s (or AFAB person’s) biggest life achievement is to have children is... you guessed it... patriarchy. And I, for one, appreciate Chappell pushing back against that narrative with sass and sincerity.

Chappell Roan on Call Her Daddy Podcast

2. “Why are you asking ME to be political?”

Cue the outrage. But let’s get something straight - Chappell never said she doesn’t want to be political. She simply questioned why all the pressure to be political suddenly rests on her glittery shoulders now that she’s famous.

And let’s be real: she’s got a point.

Do we expect the same political clarity and activism from every other mainstream pop star? From every straight male musician with a mic and a Spotify Wrapped? No. But as soon as a Queer woman steps into the spotlight, we want her to be Beyoncé, Harvey Milk, and Bell Hooks rolled into one.

People have been quick to criticise her for “backing away” from political activism, but… has anyone stopped to ask why? Maybe, just maybe, it’s a reflection of how genuinely scary the current political climate is, particularly for Queer and trans people in the US.

Maybe constantly being outspoken about your rights, while simultaneously watching those rights be threatened, is exhausting. Maybe she’s just taking a breath.

And this is where I really want to emphasise something we teach over at Rebel Love Education: this should be about calling people in, not calling them out.

Calling out is reactive, often shaming. Calling in is compassionate, collaborative. And I think Chappell deserves to be called in, not for saying anything harmful, but for having the audacity to not be perfect, to be unsure, to be scared. All of which, by the way, makes her a whole person, not a manufactured mascot for a movement.

Final Thoughts (aka, Let’s Chill)

Chappell Roan is a Queer woman navigating fame, fear, and fierce expectations, all while still trying to sing her heart out and make art that uplifts others. And she’s doing it with integrity.

So before we rush to cancel someone for speaking their truth (truths that many of us actually relate to), let’s remember that nuance matters.

People are more than just a soundbite.

And if we want to build a world where Queer joy, freedom, and authenticity thrives, then let’s make space for all the messy, magical, human parts of each other, even our pop stars.

✨ I’m still with Chappell Roan. And honestly? You should be too.