KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A traveler along the historic Route 66 passing through Springfield, Missouri, would be forgiven for wondering how a relatively reserved community could spark the outspoken force that’s become music artist Chappell Roan.
When 26-year-old Roan was named the VMA’s Best New Artist this month, it might have been the first time some music fans ever saw her extravagant wardrobe or heard her music that’s reminiscent of the 1980’s.
“It’s just so different and I like what she stands for,” said fan Lily Krueger.
Her career and fame has skyrocketed in the last few months, opening for pop star Olivia Rodrigo before starting her own tour in the European Union, U.K., and United States.
“It’s a new but old sound, I fell like, and not many people are doing it,” said fan Kayla Howell.
Long before she adopted her stage persona, Chappell Roan, Kayleigh Rose Amstutz was born in the nearby city of Willard, bouncing between Missouri, L.A., and New York after high school while going on tour and starting her music career.
Years of writing and recording out of the limelight set the stage for the rapid, widespread recognition she’s gotten in the last few months.
She’s been the focus of social media trends, driving more than 20 million views to a music video for her well-known song, Hot To Go. She filmed the video in Springfield, highlighting local landmarks and drag performers.
“I’ve been a diehard fan ever since,” said Drag Performer Tina HC who was in the Hot To Go video. “[Roan’s] definitely one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.”
Roan identifies as a gay woman and has said before that her flashy stage persona is her dressing in drag. Springfield’s drag community and the nightclub it performs in, Martha’s Vineyard, is here for it.
“It’s so incredibly important, I think especially in entertainment, inspiration is everything,” said Martha’s Vineyard Director of Entertainment Luke Atkison.
Martha’s Vineyard helped connect local drag performers with Roan when she came through Springfield. It’s become tradition on her tour for local performers to be involved in her shows.
“She just was such a positive light to be around, and I just really really understood where she was coming from, especially coming from Mid-Missouri,” said Tina. “I’m from Columbia, Missouri, so I definitely understand everything that she talks about in all of her songs.”
Tina says Roan is one of the only artists who knows what it’s like to be queer in Missouri, offering a hand out to young people who might be learning about their own identity while also juggling the challenges of adolescence.
Roan acknowledged that role during her VMA’s acceptance speech, saying “For all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you. I understand you because I’m one of you, and don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t be exactly who you want to be.”
“That type of representation that is so loud, so in your face, Chappell is authentically them and it’s nice to see that, especially if you don’t have anything like that in your area,” said Hallie Lueking, who performs as Devorah The Doll in Springfield.
Atkison says the beauty of Roan expanding her reach right now is a much wider audience can see she’s a great artist even if they don’t know her sexuality.
“I think the LGBTQIA community will always look at it one way,” Atkison said. “They’ll always look at it as an anthem, they’ll always look at her as being an icon for them. I think people who are not part of that community will still see an artist that is incredible at what she does.”
Atkison says in a place like Springfield or Greene County, which tends to vote for conservative politicians at a higher rate than the rest of the state, the message Roan is sharing can be important.
“You can be part of the smallest little town in the reddest of states and if this is who you’re meant to be, it may not be when you want or when you need it, but eventually, you will get to who you need to be and the community you need to be in,” Atkison said.