Days after posting TikTok videos calling for reasonable boundaries from his fans, Chappell Roan has doubled down on his efforts to call out “predatory behavior” in a new statement, writing: “I’ve been in too many non-consensual physical and social interactions and I just need to make it clear and remind you: women don’t owe you anything. I chose this career because I love music… I do not accept harassment of any kind because I chose this path, nor do I deserve it.”
The statement, posted on Instagram, came in response to “predatory behavior (disguised as ‘superfan’ behavior) that has been normalized due to the way famous women have been treated in the past,” Roan explained. “Women do not owe you a reason why they don’t want to be touched or talked to.”
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Roan clarified that “this has nothing to do with the gratitude and love I feel for my community, for the people who respect my boundaries and for the love I feel from every person who lifts me up and has stayed with me to help the project get to where it is now.”
She also addressed some potential detractors, writing, “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?’ understand 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.”
In closing, Roan asked people to “stop touching me. Stop acting weird around my family and friends. Stop assuming things about me. There’s always more to the story. I’m scared and I’m tired. And please don’t call me Kayleigh. I feel more love than I’ve ever felt in my life. I feel more insecure than I’ve ever felt in my life.”
Roan turned off comments on the Instagram post of the statement, explaining, “I’m not looking for anyone’s response. This is not a group conversation.” Support for Roan is nonetheless circulating. Paramore’s Hayley Williams even reposted the statement on her story, writing, “Please read the whole thing and the caption too. This happens to every woman I know in this business, including myself. Social media has made this worse. I’m really grateful that Chappell is willing to address it in a real way, in real time. It’s brave and unfortunately necessary.”
Read Roan's full statement below and see a screenshot of Williams' story.
Meanwhile, Roan's debut album, The rise and fall of a Midwestern princesshas climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard 200. She'll next close out a European leg of the “Midwest Princess Tour,” and in September, she'll return to the U.S. for shows in New York, Tennessee, Arkansas and more, finishing with sets at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Get your tickets here.
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