Chappell Roan’s Success Highlights the Mainstream Pop Star’s Ascension

Pop stardom used to be about creating music for a wide audience, but now artists like Billie Eilish and SZA are finding success with niche sounds. Artists like Roan, XCX, Carpenter, and Tinashe are treating pop as a genre to build upon rather than a trending sound. Live performances have helped create communities around these artists, with Roan’s album slowly climbing up the Billboard 200 chart after opening for Olivia Rodrigo. Carpenter also rose in popularity after opening for Taylor Swift and headlining festivals like Outside Lands. The success of these artists is also connected to the current cultural and political climate, where their authenticity and representation of women and LGBTQ people resonate with fans seeking connection and camaraderie. Charli XCX and her album “Brat” have inspired a “brat summer” movement, encouraging people to be messy, candid, and unapologetic. With artists like Roan, their identity and music are speaking to youth culture and representation of queer people in mainstream pop. Despite their success, hit singles are not the main focus for these artists, as they prioritize connecting with their cult fan base through idiosyncratic music. This shift in approach to pop stardom has allowed these artists to break through in a way that traditional pop musicians have not done in a while.

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