September 10th 2024.
Chappell Roan, the rising star in the US pop scene, has been making waves this year with hit songs like "Red Wine Supernova" and "Good Luck, Babe!" that have gone viral. With her career on the rise and her songs topping the charts, it may seem like she has everything under control. However, behind closed doors, Chappell has been struggling with her mental health and the impact of her journey to fame.
At 26 years old, Chappell, whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, signed her first record deal in 2017 after her original song on YouTube caught the attention of labels. Her rise was steady until her debut album, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess," was released in 2023, quickly gaining a cult following and being dubbed a "sleeper hit" by early 2024. By September of this year, she had toured with Olivia Rodrigo, topped the charts, and amassed almost 45 million monthly listeners on Spotify. But just two years ago, she was struggling with thoughts of ending her own life.
In a candid interview with Rolling Stone for her cover story, Chappell opened up about her battle with hypomania, a common symptom of bipolar II disorder that involves elevated mood and hyperactivity. "I wasn't sleeping," she recalled of the time in 2021. "I was on the wrong medication. I had so much energy and delusion, and I realized that this industry thrives off of mental illness. Straight up."
The following year, she sought outpatient therapy. While she had experienced suicidal thoughts before, this was the first time she had actually planned how she would end her life. Thankfully, after a performance in front of 9,000 people in San Francisco, Chappell realized that she needed help and immediately went back to treatment. "I realized I can't live like this," she said. "I can't live feeling so lost and depressed that I want to kill myself. I got my act together."
Chappell is grateful for the support she received before her fame became overwhelming. She credits this support for helping her handle the pressures of her rising career. "I wouldn't have been able to handle any of this even a year ago," she acknowledged. "It would have been too much for me."
Despite her struggles with mental health, Chappell has remained on top of her game when it comes to her career. By the end of 2022, she had booked and sold out a full headline tour. However, she was careful not to rush into any decisions with a new label. "I put the labels through hell," she confessed. "I was like, 'Give me a pitch deck on how you would market me. What do you see in five years? If you can't even do it hypothetically, then you don't know how to figure it out. I'm definitely not signing with you.'"
But fame also comes with its lows. In recent months, Chappell has had to deal with intense fans and stalkers, leading her to set boundaries for her safety. She went viral on TikTok after sharing a video detailing these boundaries, and she received backlash for cancelling European tour dates to rehearse for her performance at the VMAs. While some fans were disappointed and called her "disrespectful," Chappell explained that she was "heartbroken" to have to cancel at such short notice.
Through it all, Chappell has received support from fellow artists like Charli XCX, Hayley Williams, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, and Sabrina Carpenter, who even gave her her phone number. Even Sir Elton John has shown support and described himself as "protective" of Chappell. Despite the challenges, Chappell is staying true to herself and her boundaries, and she is determined to continue her rise to fame while taking care of her mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, know that you are not alone. You can reach out to organizations like the Samaritans or PAPYRUS for support and guidance. Take care of yourself and remember to prioritize your well-being.
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