Chappell Roan Responds to Criticism of Grammy Speech: “They Better Back Up Their Words or They’ll Be Left Behind”

Chappell Roan’s Grammy Speech Reaction

Chappell Roan responded to an article that critiques her speech at the Grammy Awards last week—let’s explore her remarks.

Acclaim and Criticism

On February 2, the former NME Cover Star took home her first Grammy, winning the award for Best New Artist. In her acceptance speech, she called out the music industry, stating, “Labels in the industry must provide millions of dollars to artists, ensuring a fair salary and medical benefits, especially for emerging artists.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx86h_kxk48

Following her speech, Jeffrey Rabhan, a music director and former chairman of the Kluva Davis Institute at New York University, criticized her remarks in a guest column for Hollywood Reporter, labeling her speech as “erroneous” and “ignorant.”

In response, the singer took to social media, posting a screenshot of Rabhan’s article, where he suggested that the Missouri pop star was no longer a “struggling artist” and needed to “step up” in her dialogue.

Since then, Chappell Roan has pledged $25,000 of her own money to support musicians in need—other artists like Noah Kahan and Charlie XCX have since matched her contributions.

On February 10, the “Pink Pony Club” singer reiterated her stance, informing her fans that it was “an opportunity” for the “industry powers” rather than a plea for fans to donate.

She wrote in an Instagram story: “The intention behind my personal experiences shared on the Grammy stage was not to create a crowdfunding effort but to call upon industry leaders to rise and help us create genuine changes while safeguarding our investments.”

Roan emphasized: “I will not waver in my belief that artists deserve more than the industry’s standard. While people are free to criticize my Grammy speech, they should put their money where their mouth is; otherwise, they should step aside.”

In subsequent posts, she expressed her collaboration with Backline and reminded fans through another Instagram story: “Fans, you do not need to sacrifice your hard-earned pennies. This is just one of many opportunities for industry leaders to support artists. Much more needs to be done.” She also shared a photo of her receipt displaying her $25,000 donation.

Shortly after Rabhan’s column was published, Halsey came to Roan’s defense, labeling the article a “personal attack” in her Instagram stories and describing it as “bootlicking behavior.”

In other news, Roan also voiced her support for transgender individuals at the Grammy 2025, stating, “It’s cruel now, but trans excellence has always existed, and it will always exist. Regardless of anything that happens, they will never take trans joy away, and that must be protected above all because I wouldn’t be here without trans individuals.”