That’s perhaps why she’s been called LA’s “queer pop superstar in the making” by the LA Times and the “queer pop moment” by Vogue.

Roan – whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz – drew inspiration from her late grandfather, Dennis Chappell, and his love for Marty Robbins’ “The Strawberry Roan” when choosing her stage name, according to The Guardian.

Here’s everything you need to know about Chappell Roan – who recently announced she will be be touring the UK and Europe this year.

Chappell Roan had a challenging childhood

Roan opened up about her childhood in a chat with Variety ahead of her debut album release, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Hailing from the tiny town of Willard, Missouri, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was 22. “But as a child I think my parents just thought I was being a brat, so I had such a difficult time,” she revealed.

Her family was also Christian, which appeared to prompt conflicting feelings. “I just wanted to feel like a good person, but I had this part of me that wanted to escape so bad,” she said.

She was signed to Atlantic Records at just 17

But despite finding success on platforms like TikTok and earning accolades like Vulture’s “Song of the Summer” for her song “Pink Pony Club”, Roan was dropped from Atlantic’s roster after lacklustre sales, per The Washington Post.

She moved back home during a tough period

After being dropped by her label, ending a four-year relationship, and receiving her official bipolar diagnosis, per UK media – all amid the onset of the Covid pandemic, at that – Roan decided to leave California.

She ended up back in Missouri, living with her parents and working at a drive-through doughnut shop, per UK media. But that didn’t stop her ambition – she kept writing music as an independent artist. Eventually, her determination paid off, and she saved up enough money to move back to LA.

Her four-year relationship was reportedly with a man, but she realised she was queer upon her initial move to LA in 2018, per Teen Vogue. She told the publication that dating men is “literally not fun … it’s boring”. In August 2023, LA Times reported that she’s dating a woman. “I feel scared kissing her in public,” the singer confessed to the outlet. “Homophobia is in the back of my head.

She’s toured with Olivia Rodrigo

Beyond their professional bond, Rodrigo and Roan appear to share a close friendship. Ahead of the tour, Roan took to TikTok to share her enthusiasm over hitting the road alongside her friend. “I love you, girl. I’m so excited to tour with you,” she said.

She’s working with Dan Nigro

As reported by The Guardian, in 2020, Roan started working with producer Dan Nigro, who would soon find fame for his work with Rodrigo, though their partnership was curtailed when she left LA.

When she began making waves on the LA music scene as an independent artist after returning from her Midwestern sojourn, though, she eventually reconnected with Nigro. In 2023, she signed a major record deal with his imprint at Island Records, the label behind Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, according to NME. The two began working on Roan’s next musical venture, which would eventually be The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.

Roan will tour the UK and Europe this autumn

In March, Roan unveiled plans for a UK and European tour in 2024, per NME. The singer will bring her electrifying live performances to audiences across the pond this autumn. The tour will kick off in Paris in September, with stops in Amsterdam, London, Manchester and Glasgow before wrapping in Dublin.