If there’s one artist who’s going to be a supernova in 2024, it’s Chapel Lawn.
The pop singer from Willard, Missouri (pop. 6,300) is at once flamboyant and introverted, catapulting into the mainstream with her debut studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Most of her introductions are audacious blends of delicious melodies, crystal clear voices, and megaphones that don’t gloss over her queerness.
Roan, 26, earned six Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year honors, and Song and Record of the Year (“Good Luck Babe”) to complement her recognition as Best New Artist What happened is not surprising.
“Music can express anything, even things you’ve never experienced before. It allowed me to express my queerness, even if it was just a daydream at the time. . It allows me to express parts of myself that I’m not ready to embrace yet,” Roan said in a recent interview with Grammy.com.
Many point to Roan’s intense performance at Coachella in April 2024 as the turning point in her transition from cult favorite to Rolling Stone-worthy cover girl. Earlier this year, she kicked off the sold-out first leg of Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts World Tour, and then spent the summer performing with more than 80,000 people at Bonnaroo, Governors Ball, and Chicago’s Lollapalooza. They spent their set captivating the Overflow Festival crowd.
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See how Roan performs at the Grammy Awards, airing February 2nd on CBS/Paramount+.
How did the name Chapel Lawn come about?
Born Kaylee Rose Amstutz, Roan chose her stage name after her grandfather, Dennis Chappell, who passed away from brain cancer in 2016. Chappelle’s favorite song is the classic cowboy toe-tapper “The Strawberry Lawn” by Marty Robbins, she told Oxford The 2022 name change for student newspaper “Cherwell” It was born out of a promise.
“Before he passed away, I told him it was going to be a chapel for him. The origin of the loan is… an old Western song about a pinkish-red horse,” said Roan. “It’s a very sentimental name. But in real life, I still wish my name wasn’t Kaylee.”
How long has Chapel Lawn been making music?
Roan has become a lesser-known industry mainstay since releasing his original song “Die Young” on YouTube in 2014. That breakthrough came after several years of playing piano, performing in school talent shows, and auditioning (unsuccessfully) for “America’s Got Talent.”
Atlantic Records caught wind of her interest and signed her, releasing her debut EP, School Nights, in 2017. But it was Roan’s 2020 single “Pink Pony Club,” inspired by her experience at West Hollywood gay bar The Abbey, that dragged Roan in. Although he received attention (USA TODAY was an early supporter), he was left off the Atlantic roster.
For several years, Roan worked a series of jobs, including as a nanny and production assistant, while building a music career as an independent artist. In 2023, she signed with Amusement Records, a subsidiary of Island Records, founded by producer and co-creator Dan Nigro.
That fall, Lorne released her studio debut, The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess.
What kind of songs does Chapel Lawn sing?
A colorful figure, often decked out in pink cowboy hats, white face makeup, fluffy wigs, or homages to the Statue of Liberty, Roan crafts songs that make you shiver and soar.
The Sheath Anthem, “Good Luck Babe!,” a synth cover of her three-Grammy-nominated synth, is a heady blend of frank defiance and heartbreaking resignation, with strings and piano singing the “Feminino” Menon’ and upbeat chants of ‘Hot to Go’. ! ” Celebrating 80s camp.
Why did Chapel Lawn step away from the spotlight?
The intense challenge of inescapable celebrity took a toll on Roan’s psyche, and she spoke candidly to fans about her struggles.
Roan, who has been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, said on social media after canceling several festival performances last year, saying she “couldn’t perform.” I feel pressured to prioritize many things right now, so I need a few days to prioritize my health. ”
Roan also told Rolling Stone that he has put up signs warning fans when interacting with them. She doesn’t respond when I call out “Kayley!” and declines most photo requests.
In an August TikTok post, an exasperated Roan detailed his increasingly unpleasant interactions with fans.
“It’s weird that people think they know someone just because they saw them online,” she says. “You’re allowed to say no to creepy behavior, okay?”
Chapel Lawn at the 2025 Grammy Awards
Roan earned her first Grammy nomination at the 2025 ceremony.
She has been nominated six times, making her one of the most nominated artists and only two of the “big four” nominated for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. One of the names. Sabrina Carpenter is also competing in the four main categories.
In addition to her Big Four nominations, Roan also won Best Pop Solo Performance (“Good Luck Babe!”) and Best Pop Vocal Album (“The Rise and Fall of a… She is also a candidate for the title “Midwest Princess.”
She will face stiff competition in the Best New Artist category from Sabrina Carpenter, RAYE, Shabouzy, Benson Boone, Khruangbin, Doechee and Teddy Swims.
The 2025 Grammy Awards are scheduled to be held in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 2nd.