American singer Chappell Roan has announced her decision to cancel her scheduled performances at the All Things Go festival this weekend. The rising artist was set to perform in New York on Saturday, September 28, and Washington, D.C. on Sunday, September 29, but cited the overwhelming pressures of her career as the reason for her inability to perform.
"I apologize to people who have been waiting to see me in NYC & DC this weekend at All Things Go, but I am unable to perform," Roan shared on social media.
Chappell Roan addresses the challenges of fame and managing fan expectations
Chappell Roan has been open about her difficulties in coping with the demands of fame, as her profile has surged dramatically in recent months. The singer-songwriter, known for her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, has spoken about dealing with stalkers and the pressures fans place on her. In a TikTok video last month, Roan expressed,
"If you saw a random woman on the street, would you yell at her from your car window? Would you harass her in public?... Would you stalk her family?... I'm a random bitch, you're a random bitch. Just think about that for a second, OK?"
Chappell Roan emphasized that while performing, she's "at work," but outside of that context, she does not owe her time or energy to anyone. She expressed concern about the expectations placed on her by fans, especially as she attempts to balance her career with personal well-being.
In response to her cancellation, the All Things Go festival organizers released a statement on social media, expressing their support for Roan's decision.
"All Things Go strongly supports artists prioritizing their well-being, and we ask our community to rally around Chappell Roan with love and understanding," the statement read. "Let's continue to show the world that music fans support not just the art, but the artists themselves."
This is not the first time Chappell Roan has had to step back from performing due to the pressures of her career. Last month, she canceled shows in Paris and Amsterdam, citing scheduling conflicts. At the time, she conveyed her disappointment on social media, stating,
"I am so sorry & very disappointed :( I promise I will be back. I'm heartbroken thank you for understanding."
Chappell Roan's struggle with fame has been well-documented in recent months. In an interview with The Face earlier this month, she described how her experiences with fans have affected her, even admitting she might consider quitting the music industry if the pressures become too much. Recalling a recent incident at an airport where she was harassed by fans,
she said, "I told myself, if this ever gets dangerous, I might quit. It's dangerous now, and I'm still going. But that part is not what I signed up for."
She went on to describe fame as feeling "abusive," drawing a comparison between the treatment she receives from strangers and an abusive relationship.
"The vibe of this — stalking, talking s--- online, [people who] won't leave you alone, yelling at you in public — is the vibe of an abusive ex-husband," she said. "That's what it feels like. I didn't know it would feel this bad."
Roan also went viral in August when she posted an emotional TikTok plea asking fans to respect her privacy.
"I don't care that abuse and harassment, stalking, whatever, is a normal thing to do to people who are famous or a little famous... That doesn't mean I want it. Doesn't mean that I like it," she stated.
Chappell Roan, fresh off her MTV Video Music Awards win for Best New Artist, is taking time to focus on her well-being before returning to her busy schedule. Her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, continues to receive praise, and fans eagerly await future performances once she is ready.
Roan has several upcoming events planned, but no specific dates have been confirmed as she prioritizes her health.