CHAPPELL ROAN

Captures the electric ascent of a pop provocateur whose queerness is central to her artistry.

Born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz in 1998, the singer-songwriter, who was raised in a conservative Missouri town, unsuccessfully auditioned for America’s Got Talent and did some gigs at local churches and country clubs. Attending the famed summer arts camp Interlochen as a rising senior was a turning point for her. Through a mix of talent, reinvention, and hard-won confidence, she became a fearless pop phenom who writes bold anthems reflecting on personal liberation, particularly around gender and sexuality. Her confessional style and unflinching lyrics have helped her become a voice for queer Gen Z fans. This lively biography charts Roan’s rise from a scrappy transplant disillusioned by what she found in Los Angeles, to a star propelled by viral singles and a magnetic onstage presence. Quotes from interviews with Roan and her collaborators underscore her perseverance in the face of financial and music industry setbacks. The writing is fast-paced and honest, reflecting the performer’s bold personality. Color photos, quotes, and the eye-catching book design bring her world to life. Several double-page spreads introduce readers to her creative influences, including burlesque, drag, and women musicians like Kate Bush, Pink, and Stevie Nicks. Fans will enjoy the narrative’s behind-the-scenes feeling, which shows Roan’s vulnerable side, and the author’s obvious respect for her subject.

An empowering, unapologetic portrait of creative risk and queer joy.