“My Whole Life Has Changed”— Chappell Roan Discusses Her Severe Depression Diagnosis

Chappell Roan’s journey to stardom has been both rapid and fraught with challenges. The Missouri-born singer, who was once relatively obscure, has emerged as a household name, primarily due to her breakout hit Good Luck, Babe! and her vibrant, drag-inspired aesthetic. Nevertheless, her ascent to fame has been accompanied by struggles related to mental health and the pressures of being in the spotlight.

Currently touring in the UK, Roan candidly discussed her recent struggles, including a diagnosis of severe depression, emphasizing the emotional toll that fame has imposed on her mental 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 during an interview with The Guardian.

The recent revelation of Chappell Roan’s severe depression diagnosis was unexpected for her. Although she didn’t feel “sad”most of the time, she recognized symptoms commonly associated with depression, including brain fog, forgetfulness, diminished focus, and a sense of apathy towards 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 elaborated.

Chappell Roan’s experiences underline the often overlooked downsides of fame. As she described to 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.”

Chappell Roan Discusses Fame, Mental Health, and Resilience Amid Criticism

Chappell Roan’s career took off in 2023 following the launch of her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Nevertheless, it was her unforgettable performance at Lollapalooza that truly catapulted her into the limelight, earning her over 45 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

As her fanbase expanded, she began facing difficulties concerning her newfound fame. During a live show in June, Roan broke down in tears on stage, expressing, “It’s really hard to keep up.”Since that moment, she has been transparent about her mental health battles. In August, she issued a statement addressing the fan harassment she faced, advocating for the personal space that celebrities deserve.

Despite her openness about her challenges, not all fans have responded positively. Following a viral moment at the VMAs where she confronted a shouting photographer, some labeled her as “ungrateful.”Nevertheless, Roan is steadfast in upholding her boundaries.

“Some fans think I’m complaining about my success. I’m complaining about being abused,”she clarified.

In this tumultuous time, Chappell Roan finds comfort in therapy and is supported by fellow female artists who understand the distinct pressures that come with fame.

“Only the girls know how it feels,”she shared with The Guardian.

The 26-year-old star is currently in the European leg of The Midwest Princess Tour, which has seen multiple sold-out performances, including three consecutive nights at O2 Academy Brixton in London from September 19-21, 2023. While she continues to perform, Roan is also focused on new music, including a country track, and plans to take time off for songwriting and self-care.

Looking ahead, she has suggested she might relocate to Seattle and take a significant break to concentrate on her next creative endeavors.

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