"It's because my whole life has changed"— Chappell Roan tries to explain why she was diagnosed with severe depression

Chappell Roan's rise to fame has been as fast as it has been challenging. Once relatively unknown, the Missouri-born singer has now become a household name, thanks to her breakout single Good Luck, Babe! and her vibrant, drag-inspired aesthetic. However, her journey has been marked by struggles with fame and mental health.

Currently on tour in the UK, Roan opened up about her recent diagnosis of severe depression and the toll fame has taken on her well-being.

"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," Roan shared in an interview with The Guardian.

Chappell Roan's recent diagnosis of severe depression caught her by surprise. Despite not feeling consistently "sad," she realized she was experiencing classic symptoms of depression, such as brain fog, forgetfulness, poor focus, and a "lackluster" outlook on life.

“I think it’s because my whole life has changed. Everything that I really love to do now comes with baggage. 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?," she explained.

Chappell Roan's mental health struggles highlight the downsides of fame. She told The Guardian:

"Every time I walk through my front door, it just comes out of me. 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.”

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Chappell Roan opens up about fame, mental health, and standing firm amid criticism

Chappell Roan's career started booming in 2023 with the release of her first album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. However, it wasn't until her performance at Lollapalooza that her popularity exploded. She now has over 45 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

As her popularity grew, she began experiencing trouble coping with fame. During a live performance in June, she cried on stage and said, "It's really hard to keep up". Since then, Roan has come clean about her struggles with her mental health. In August, she put out a statement regarding fan harassment insisting that celebrities should be given personal space.

While Roan has been open about her struggles, not all fans have been supportive. After a viral incident at the VMAs, where she stood up to a shouting photographer, some accused her of being "ungrateful." Roan, however, remains firm in maintaining her boundaries.

"Some fans think I'm complaining about my success. I’m complaining about being abused," she explained.

Despite the challenges, Chappell Roan finds solace in therapy. Her support system also includes other female artists who understand the unique pressures of fame.

"Only the girls know how it feels," she told The Guardian.

The 26-year-old is currently on the Europe leg ofThe Midwest Princess Tour. The tour has multiple sold-out shows, including three nights at the O2 Academy Brixton in London from September 19-21, 2023. As she continues to perform, Roan is also working on new music, including a country track. The Pink Pony Club hitmaker also plans to take time off to focus on songwriting and re-centering herself.

Looking ahead, she has hinted at possibly moving to Seattle and taking a "good chunk of time off" to focus on her next creative phase.