‘That Changed My Career’: Chappell Roan Says Queens Biopic Bohemian Rhapsody Inspired Her Switch to Pop

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As a dedicated music enthusiast who has recently found myself immersed in the captivating world of pop music, I find myself deeply inspired by the transformative power of art, particularly the iconic performance of Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. Much like Chappell Roan, the young singer whose career has been dramatically pivoted by this movie, I too felt my heart racing during that legendary Live Aid scene where Queen electrified the crowd with Radio Ga Ga.

Chappell Roan acknowledges that the 2018 biopic about Queen, particularly Rami Malek’s portrayal of Freddie Mercury, played a significant role in her decision to delve into pop music. At the Grammy Museum on November 7th, during a discussion moderated by Brandi Carlile, Roan (aged 26) and her producer Daniel Nigro shared insights. During their extensive talk, Roan disclosed that the movie Bohemian Rhapsody sparked her transition to pop music.

When I saw them playing ‘Radio Ga Ga’ during the Live Aid performance, that specific moment in time really transformed my career. It shifted everything for me, making me think, ‘Whatever it takes, I am ready to commit.’

Roan mentions a moment he’s referring to – Freddie Mercury leading the crowd in unison during Queen’s iconic Live Aid performance of 1985, as they all clapped in perfect rhythm. Check it OUT HERE!

In the chat, Carlile inquired if Roan associated her identity with the film, to which she shared that at the time of her initial viewing, she hadn’t yet connected her life experiences to it. However, as an artist, she expressed a strong affinity for the movie, yearning to replicate the enchantment Freddie Mercury created for audiences. Roan mused, “How can I achieve something similar? It was incredibly moving to see everyone synchronize their actions in unison like that.

In her regular performance repertoire, “HOT TO GO” actively involves audience participation, encouraging them to spell out the song’s name. Upon initial observation, this interaction seems reminiscent of The Village People’s YMCA. Moreover, it was noted that Femininomenon features a call-and-response segment within its bridge.

When Nigro inquired if the public’s reaction to her audience involvement had ever prompted her to go even further, Roan responded by stating that she had always intended to compose songs designed to foster audience participation. She explained that she believes her album The Rise and Fall of the Midwest Princess has struck a chord with fans due to its interactive elements and because she’s performed it at an impressive 83 shows.

Roan, known by her stage name and originally Kayleigh Amstutz, has experienced an incredible rollercoaster of a year. As recent as yesterday (November 8), she garnered six Grammy nominations, one of which is for Album of the Year for the mentioned record. Expressing her astonishment at her rapid success, she commented on her career’s progression just before receiving the Grammy nods, stating that events typically happening to artists over their entire careers occurred to her in a mere five months.

Apart from his initial Grammy recognition, Roan has also been nominated in several categories such as Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance.

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2024-11-09 06:39