Chappell is definitely a red wine supernova in the industry right now. This 26-year-old singer shot to stardom in 2024, thanks to her raw authenticity and fierce style inspired by drag queen culture.
But hold up — do you really know everything about her? From unveiling her real name to unravelling her hobbies and family life, we’ve got a list of fun Chappell Roan facts that might just blow your mind about this rising star.
12 Fun and Interesting Chappell Roan Facts
1. Chappell Roan is Just a Stage Name
If you’re into pop music, you’ve definitely heard the name Chappell Roan pop up in all directions. But did you know her real name is actually Kayleigh Rose Amstutz? Her stage name is in fact a sweet tribute to her grandpa, whose favorite song was The Strawberry Roan by Marty Robbins.
2. Chappell Got Famous From YouTube
Even though Chappell is blowing up now, her career actually kicked off way back in 2014 when Die Young went viral on YouTube, landing her a deal with Atlantic Records the following year. Fast forward to 2018, she moved to LA, where her style seriously came to life, heavily influenced by the queer vibes of West Hollywood. That’s when she dropped her first hit, Pink Pony Club.
Since then, Chappell has been serving hit after hit and has evolved into a phenomenon (or should we say, a femininomenon?) opening for Olivia Rodrigo and slaying the stage at festivals like Coachella and Governors Ball.
3. She Wears White Makeup for a Reason
If you’ve been keeping up with our Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl, you’ve probably noticed her signature white face makeup (like, a LOT of it). During a performance in Manchester, Chappell got real about it, explaining that it’s actually a form of resistance.
She shared: “Other people in my hometown would call gay people clowns. That’s why I actually wear my white face.”
Talk about turning hate into a bold statement — iconic behavior!
4. Chappell has a Chicken Named Lady Gaga
No one can deny that Lady Gaga is an obvious inspiration for Chappell. But her admiration for the Poker Face singer goes a little further than you think. Chappell spilled some tea on Carpool Karaoke with Zane Lowe in December, revealing that her dad, also a die-hard Gaga fan, named one of their chickens Lady Gaga. And -obviously-, the rest of the flock had to be just as iconic, rocking names inspired by the Spice Girls and Little Richard.
5. Chappell’s Hobbies Include Gaming
The singer once revealed that she’s all about gaming, with favorites like Fortnite and Super Mario. But Chappell’s true gamer heart beats for the one and only Sims game. During one of her shows, a fan asked her about it, and she blew everyone away with her deep Sims knowledge — including all the cheat codes for, let’s say, bending the rules. Turns out, she’s just as chaotic in-game as she is on stage.
6. She Suffered from Depression
Chappell opened up to The Guardian about her meteoric rise to fame. While she found it undeniably amazing, it also came with its fair share of fears and a heavy toll on the star’s mental health. Chappell got real about her diagnosis with depression and how challenging it’s been to navigate fame and the constant pressure of living up to people’s expectations.
“I went to a psychiatrist last week because I was like, I don’t know what’s going on. She diagnosed me with severe depression – which I didn’t think I had because I’m not actually sad. But I have every symptom of someone who’s severely depressed,” she revealed.
RELATED:
Chappell Roan Makes Shocking Claims About Fame
7. Chappell Almost Gave Up on Music
Back in 2020, Chappell’s contract with Atlantic Records came to an end, and with the pandemic hitting hard, she found herself broke in LA. Frustrated, she had to move back in with her parents and even worked at a drive-thru.
But here’s where the plot thickens: Dan Nigro, the producer she’d worked with on Pink Pony Club, had skyrocketed to fame after working with Olivia Rodrigo. Meanwhile, Chappell kept hustling, releasing music independently, until 2022, when she got the invite of a lifetime — opening for Olivia’s tour and signing with Island Records, thanks to Nigro. She went on to drop her debut album, and, well, the rest is history. Talk about a glow-up!
8. Several Big Artists Inspire Her
Chappell draws inspiration from some of the biggest names in the game, and is never shy about sharing her musical idols. Among her faves? Katy Perry and Lady Gaga — honestly, with their shared love for extravagance, who’s even surprised?
She’s also a huge fan of legends like Stevie Nicks, Kate Bush, Lana Del Rey, and Lorde. Oh, and let’s not forget Elton John, who has been a sort of mentor for Chappell. And, of course, a lot of her flair comes from drag culture, inspired by icons like Sasha Colby.
9. She Once Had a Stalker
Chappell’s been pretty open about the darker side of her sudden rise to fame. In an interview with Rolling Stone, she described dealing with a stalker who not only harassed her family, but even broke into their property. The same stalker went as far as trying to approach her in her hotel room in New York, forcing her to call security. The ugly side of stardom, right?
10. Chappell Sprained her Neck Real Bad
Chappell shared a hilarious story on TikTok that’s pure gold. While having some fun with her mom, swinging her red hair back and forth, she suddenly felt a weird “water on the neck” sensation. Her mom, totally distracted, just told her to take a Tylenol. But plot twist: it wasn’t just a little ache — she’d actually twisted her neck and ended up in the emergency room! So much for living that rock ‘n roll life…
11. She was Born in a Small Town
With all the feathers and extravagant makeup, you might think Chappell comes from a big city, but nope — she was born in 1998 in Willard, Missouri. It’s so small that there are actually more cows than people (for real!). Her mom’s a vet, and her dad’s a nurse. Before making the move to LA, Chappell grew up in a house heavily influenced by Christian values.
ALSO READ:
Who is Benson Boone? 10 Fun Facts About the Star
12. Chappell Has Wanted a Grammy Since Being a Child
Even before dropping her first tracks, Chappell was already flexing her talent, taking home the big win at Springfield’s Got Talent in 2012. When asked about her music goals, she straight-up said she wanted a Grammy and was ready to do whatever it took to get one. Setting the bar really high, huh?
…And it sure looks like she’s on the right path: Chappell Roan was nominated six times for the 2025 Grammys in major categories like Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist. So, all we can say now is—Good Luck, Babe!
Let us know what other cool and random Chappell Roan facts we might’ve missed in the comments below!
READ NEXT:
Sabrina Carpenter: 20 Fun Facts About the Singer
