Chappell Roan Dedicates Best New Artist VMA Win to 'All the Queer Kids in the Midwest': 'I Am One of You'

Mar. 15, 2025

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Nothing “Casual” about this:Chappell Roanjust won her first VMA.

The 26-year-old pop star (real name: Kayleigh Amstutz) took the stage in chainlink dress and headpiece to accept the award and read her speech directly from her diary.

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She added: “And thank you to the people who are fans, who listen to me, who hear me when I share my joy and my fears. Thank you. 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.”

Roanreleased her debut album,The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, in September 2023 and skyrocketed to fame this year while on the summer festival circuit. She’s since notchedBillboardHot 100 hits with a whopping seven songs: “Pink Pony Club,” “My Kink Is Karma,” “Femininomenon,” “Casual,” “Red Wine Supernova,” “Hot to Go!” and “Good Luck, Babe!”

Part of what’s drawn fans to Roan is her energetic and campy live shows, which come with dress codes and themes, such as “slumber party kissin’,” “goth grunge and glitter” and “so you wanna be a pop star."

“I think people like to party and I think my project feels like a party,” she previously toldPEOPLE. “I think that people just want to be happy and reflect, sing, dance and dress up, and feel free. The project gives people an opportunity to express themselves without judgment and freedom to discover themselves in the same way that I feel like the project allows me to discover myself.”

Roan also performed at the 2024 VMAs and received additional nominations for Push performance of the year for “Red Wine Supernova,” song of summer for “Good Luck, Babe!” and best trending video for “Hot to Go!”

source: people.com