Chappell Roan is making waves in the country music scene with her debut single, “The Giver,” blending her roots in country with a powerful expression of her queer identity.
In an exclusive interview with Apple Music Country’s Kelleigh Bannen, Roan discussed how she turned a significant part of her past into an anthem of empowerment. The song not only marks her first foray into country music but also showcases her unique perspective, blending personal history with a bold, unapologetic expression of who she is.
Roan, who hails from southwest Missouri, grew up surrounded by country and Christian music before discovering pop icons like Lady Gaga. She explains how her eclectic musical influences helped shape her sound and identity. “I just thought it would be funny. It’s campy and it’s fun,” Roan said of the inspiration behind her country debut. “I’m from southwest Missouri, grew up on Christian and country and then found ‘Alejandro’ by Lady Gaga. And I was like, ‘I think I like this too.'”
Roan’s love for country music has always remained a core part of her identity. Despite embracing her pop influences, she’s kept country close to her heart, often listening to country legends like Jason Aldean and Alan Jackson. “I want to feel that way on stage,” she said, referring to the energy she gets from classic country songs. “I want to write that song, but, like, Chappell’s version.” “The Giver” is a perfect manifestation of that desire, blending her country roots with a distinct modern edge.
One of the most striking aspects of Roan’s music is her unapologetic embrace of her queer identity, something she brings to the forefront in her songwriting. “I think I have a special relationship to where I’m from because of country music,” she said, reflecting on how she navigated her upbringing in Missouri as a queer person. “And so to kind of honor that part of myself by making a country song where it’s like, ‘You know what? Yes, I am gay and yes, I am ultra-pop. Yes, I am a drag queen. You can also perform a country song.'”
Roan’s experience in country music has also allowed her to explore the intersection of queerness and country culture, something that often remains marginalized in the mainstream. “There’s a lot of drag queens who do country music all over the world,” she pointed out, emphasizing how country music has long been a genre embraced by queer performers, even if it hasn’t always been openly acknowledged.
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Growing up in a small town in Missouri, Roan also discussed the personal struggles she faced as a young queer person in a conservative environment. “It’s like I don’t hate myself for not knowing everything about the queer culture at the time. I don’t hate myself for coming from Missouri and not knowing any lesbians,” she said, reflecting on the internalized shame many young LGBTQ+ people face when they don’t see themselves reflected in the culture around them. “I can hate myself for being gay at 15 and be like, ‘I’m a woman. I’m supposed to just be there for my husband and I’m going to learn how to cook and…’”
Roan admits that part of her journey has involved unlearning societal expectations and embracing her true self. “I love myself for loving country music and I love myself that I came around the other side,” she said. “I took a leap into a pretty painful part of my past in the Midwest and made a song of joy.”
In the interview, Roan also discussed the challenges she has faced as a woman in the music industry, including being condescended to by both men and industry executives. “As a woman you have to have the absolute audacity to feel like… you have to have the audacity to walk on stage and be like, ‘You’re going to look at me and I’m going to talk directly to the camera,'” she explained. “I was not just born with that.” She went on to mention how these experiences have shaped her confidence and informed her approach to her music.
Roan also shared her experiences with “country boys” in her life, noting that while they’ve treated her both the best and the worst, they’ve played a crucial role in shaping her confidence. “I’m about to say something so controversial, but do you know who has treated me the best and the worst? Country boys,” Roan said. “They treated me the nicest and they’ve also treated me the worst because… that’s what I grew up around.” These experiences have led to a unique perspective, which she channels in her songwriting, poking fun at the very country boys who helped shape her worldview. “I wonder if people are going to revolt against me making a very clearly lesbian song, where I poke fun at country boys,” she said, reflecting on the playful tone of “The Giver.”
Roan also shared her admiration for country music icons like Dolly Parton, whose career has been an inspiration not only for her music but for her broader approach to the genre. “That’s the beauty of Dolly and what she has created across literally all genres,” she said. “She is an artist that has embraced all of everyone.” Roan emphasized that, despite country music’s traditional roots, it is a genre that can be enjoyed and embraced by people of all identities, including the LGBTQ+ community.
As Roan continues to break new ground in country music, her debut single, “The Giver,” stands as both a personal and musical milestone. The song represents her growth, resilience, and the joy she finds in embracing all parts of herself. Roan’s story is a testament to the power of music as a tool for self-expression and empowerment, no matter where you come from or who you love.
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