Pop star Chappell Roan made headlines for her heated exchange with a photographer on the MTV VMAs red carpet, but her recent revelation about being diagnosed with severe depression sheds light on the toll that fame can take.
Amidst the glitz and glamour of the MTV Video Music Awards, pop star Chappell Roan's outburst at a photographer sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. However, the incident has also cast a spotlight on the darker side of fame and the toll it can take on mental health.
Roan's journey to stardom has been marked by an impressive string of hits and a meteoric rise to fame. Yet, behind the scenes, the singer has been struggling with severe depression. "I'm in therapy twice a week," she revealed to The Guardian. "I went to a psychiatrist last week because I was like, 'I don't know what's going on.' She diagnosed me with severe depression – which I didn't think I had because I'm not actually sad. But I have every symptom of someone who's severely depressed."
Chappell Roan's Vocal Outburst on MTV VMAs Red Carpet Highlights the 'Abusive' Side of Fame
Roan describes brain fog, forgetfulness, poor focus, and a "very lackluster viewpoint" as symptoms of her condition. She attributes these to the profound changes her life has undergone. "Everything that I really love to do now comes with baggage," she said. "If I want to go thrifting, I have to book security and prepare myself that this is not going to be normal. Going to the park, Pilates, yoga – how do I do this in a safe way where I'm not going to be stalked or harassed?"
Roan's frustration reached a boiling point on the MTV VMA red carpet when she snapped at an overzealous photographer. "I'm very turned off by the celebrity of it all," she said. "Some girls have been in this so long that they're used to that, but I'm not that girl. I'm not going to be a sweetie pie to a man who's telling me to shut the f--- up."
Chappell Roan's Vocal Outburst on MTV VMAs Red Carpet Highlights the 'Abusive' Side of Fame
The singer recognizes that not all of her fans will understand or appreciate her decision to speak out about the challenges of fame. "They think I'm complaining about my success," she said. "I'm complaining about being abused." Despite this, she refuses to censor her voice. "I look at [Lady] Gaga and even Sabrina [Carpenter] and Lana [Del Rey] – when I see them going out in public, I can't even imagine how much they've had to prepare for that."
The emotional toll of fame is overwhelming for Roan. "Every time I walk through my front door, it just comes out of me," she said. "I can't even help it, I just start sobbing and either being so angry at myself for choosing this path, or grieving how the curiosity and pure wonder I had about the world is somewhat taken away from me."
Chappell Roan's Vocal Outburst on MTV VMAs Red Carpet Highlights the 'Abusive' Side of Fame
In the wake of her diagnosis, Roan has sought support from fellow celebrities who have experienced similar struggles. "I was warned that it's going to feel like going through puberty again – my body does feel different," she said. "It's holding tension in a very different way: I have all these new emotions and I'm really confused. It's how it felt to be 12."
Roan realizes that achieving a balance between her personal and professional life is crucial. "For the past 10 years I've been going nonstop to build my project and it's come to the point that I need to draw lines and set boundaries. I want to be an artist for a very very long time," she wrote on social media. "I just need to lay it out and remind you, women don't owe you s---. I chose this career path because I love music and art and honoring my inner child, I do not accept harassment of any kind because I chose this path, nor do I deserve it."
Despite her love for music, Roan has hinted that she may be willing to walk away if the negative aspects of fame become too overbearing. "Please stop touching me. Please stop being weird to my family and friends. Please stop assuming things about me. There is always more to the story & I am scared and tired. And please don't call me Kayleigh," she wrote. "I feel more love than I ever have in my life. I feel the most unsafe I have ever felt in my life."
Roan's experience underscores the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing mental health, even in the face of fame and societal expectations. As the entertainment industry continues to grapple with the mental health challenges faced by its stars, Roan's story serves as a powerful reminder that the pursuit of success should not come at the expense of personal well-being.
