Chappell Roan’s rise to fame in just a few months is also causing a certain toxicity in her relationship with her fans, who seem to have a very clear idea of what the singer has to do or stop doing. This week she made a statement in which she reflected on the harassment of her followers, on the relevance of demanding a hug or a photo, and now she has gone further with a long text shared on Instagram:
“For the past 10 years I have been working non-stop to build my project and it has come to the point where I need to draw lines and set boundaries. I want to be an artist for a long, long time. I have had too many non-consensual physical and social interactions and I just need to put it out there and remind you that women don’t owe you shit. I chose this career because I love music and art and honoring my inner child. I do not accept harassment of any kind for choosing this path, nor do I deserve it.
I am specifically referring to the predatory behavior (disguised as ‘superfan’ behavior) that has been normalized due to the way famous women have been treated in the past. Please do not assume that you know a lot about anyone’s life, personality, and boundaries, just because you are familiar with them or their work online.
When I’m on stage, when I’m performing, when I’m doing drag, when I’m at a work event, when I’m doing press… I’m at work. In every other circumstance, I’m not in work mode. I’ve already clocked in. I don’t agree with the idea that I owe people I don’t know, don’t trust, or scare me a mutual exchange of energy, time, or attention, just because they express admiration. Women don’t owe you a reason why they don’t want to be touched or talked to. This has nothing to do with the gratitude and love I feel for my community and for the people who respect my boundaries, and for the love I feel for every single person who lifts me up and who has been with me helping my project get to where it is right now.
If you’re still wondering, “Well, if you didn’t want this to happen, why did you choose a career where you knew you wouldn’t be comfortable with the outcome of success?”, hear this: I accept the success of the project, the love I feel, and the gratitude I have. What I don’t accept is creepy people, touching me, and following me.
Chappell Roan then compares her situation to what has always been said about women who wear short skirts and stresses: “Please stop touching me, stop acting weird around my family and friends.” She admits: “I am scared and tired (…) I feel more insecure than I have ever felt in my life.” Chappell Roan has closed the comments on Instagram because she considers that this is not a debate or a group conversation.
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