The Rise of Chappell Roan: A New Era in Pop Music
It’s impossible to look back on the year in music without reflecting on the rise of Chappell Roan. To call an ascent like hers “meteoric” is a bit of a cliché, but how else do you describe someone who went from relative obscurity to a platinum record and nominations in all of the “Big Four” Grammy categories — Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist — in less than a year? This summer, she exploded onto the scene so quickly that Bonnaroo had to upgrade her from a smaller tent to their main stage to accommodate the massive crowd she drew. At a show just a week prior, she broke down on stage, admitting how overwhelming her sudden rise to fame was. “I just want to be honest with the crowd,” she said. “I just feel a little off today because I think that my career has just kind of gone really fast and it’s really hard to keep up.”
Tapping into the Zeitgeist
You don’t achieve such rapid fame without resonating with the zeitgeist and connecting with a broad audience. As an out lesbian who regularly incorporates elements of drag into her performances, Roan has struck a chord with the LGBTQ+ community. However, her appeal extends far beyond that demographic. Even those with the most conventional listening habits — the ones whose playlists consist solely of whatever Top 40 hits play in the background at the dentist’s office — are familiar with tracks like “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Pink Pony Club.” High school cliques that once seemed worlds apart are now united by her music, with popular kids and misfits alike singing along. Even grandparents are getting in on the action, doing the “HOT TO GO!” dance at weddings and bar mitzvahs. Roan has managed to infiltrate the mainstream in a way that would have been unimaginable just a few decades ago.
Sabrina Carpenter: A Different Path to Stardom
Another breakout star of the year, Sabrina Carpenter, initially appears to fit the mold of a typical pop star: blonde, conventionally attractive, and a former Disney Channel star. However, Carpenter’s rise to fame diverged from the expected path. It was only when she gained full creative control over her music that she began to experiment with different genres and showcase her lyricism. Her ability to weave humor into her songs has become her signature, and she isn’t afraid to embrace the weird. While Britney Spears famously flirted with a handsome astronaut in the “Oops!…I Did It Again” video, Carpenter takes it a step further by making out with an alien in her own work.
The Evolution of Pop Stardom
Gone are the days of the cookie-cutter pop star. In the era of Britney Spears, female artists were often encouraged to conform to a specific image, appearing aspirational rather than relatable. Today, pop stars feel empowered to be their authentic selves, whether it’s Charli XCX embracing her club rat persona or Ariana Grande showcasing her theater nerd roots. Grande’s upcoming role in Wicked seems poised to elevate her career even further, and her emotional responses during the press tour suggest a level of creative fulfillment that surpasses her previous endeavors. In Chappell Roan’s bouncy “HOT TO GO!” video, she flips high school tropes on their head by portraying the drum major instead of the cheerleader, signaling a shift in representation.
Blurring the Lines Between Mainstream and Indie
The distinction between mainstream pop and indie music is increasingly blurred. Artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker — collectively known as boygenius — are now opening for Taylor Swift and performing alongside Billie Eilish. Meanwhile, pop group MUNA is signed to Bridgers’s Saddest Factory Records label. What is cool, subversive, and critically acclaimed is also becoming popular, creating a landscape where diverse voices can thrive.
Redefining Fan Engagement
As we move into 2024, the expectations we have for our pop icons are evolving. Chappell Roan sparked controversy with an Instagram post in August that sought to establish boundaries between her and her fans. “When I’m on stage, when I’m performing, when I’m in drag, when I’m at a work event, when I’m doing press…I am at work,” she wrote. “Any other circumstance, I am not in work mode. I don’t agree with the notion that I owe a mutual exchange of energy, time, or attention to people I do not know, do not trust, or who creep me out just because they’re expressing admiration.”
This statement is a clear rejection of the toxic “stan culture” that has dominated recent years, where fans often feel entitled to a level of intimacy with celebrities that can lead to unhealthy parasocial relationships. By asserting her boundaries, Roan is attempting to shift the focus back to what truly matters: her music.
The Mainstream Embraces the Unconventional
Historically, countercultural figures have found success in the mainstream, but now it feels as though the unconventional has become the norm. Established pop acts are more comfortable rebranding and reinventing themselves, whether it’s Beyoncé exploring country music with Cowboy Carter, Mariah Carey teasing a long-lost grunge album, or JoJo Siwa transitioning to a more adult-oriented persona.
With the internet providing access to an overwhelming amount of music, standing out has never been more crucial. While being a “weirdo” in 2024 might be a savvy business move, it also represents a significant cultural shift. Female pop stars are finally being celebrated for their authenticity, allowing them to break free from the constraints of traditional pop stardom.
In this new landscape, the music industry is not just witnessing the rise of individual artists like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter; it is experiencing a broader transformation that embraces diversity, authenticity, and the celebration of individuality.
