Chappell Roan reveals she's considering becoming an actress after John Waters' encouragement
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Chappell Roan is reflecting on a possible shift in her career after a recent conversation with filmmaker John Waters.
The Grammy-winning singer spoke to W Magazine about her eventful rise in the music industry and a surprising new thought: acting.
John Waters' response sparks Chappell Roan's reflection on becoming an actress
During her interview, which was published April 30, Chappell Roan shared how her meeting with director John Waters made her think about acting for the first time.
She said, “I met John Waters last night, which was insane. One of my idols! And I was talking about how there are only so many 'firsts' you can have with your career.”
Roan recalled how Waters responded to her reflection, saying, “No, no, no—there are all the firsts to go through when you become an actress!"
She replied, “I'm not an actress—what are you talking about?” To which he responded, “Every singer is an actress!”
The ‘Pink Pony Club’ singer added, “And I was like, okay, maybe I am! Damn! If John Waters says I'm an actress, maybe I am!”
Waters, the legendary director behind films like 'Desperate Living', 'Hairspray', and 'Cry-Baby', has long featured drag queens in his work.
Chappell Roan previously expressed strong views against joining the film industry
Although she’s now open to the idea of acting, Chappell Roan had previously shared strong views against joining the film world.
In August 2024, while speaking to Bowen Yang, she said, “I say this with peace, and love, and blessings. Actors are f*****g crazy.”
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She continued the sentiment in Interview Magazine, saying, “Like, I get so freaked out by film people. I’ve been asked in the past couple of weeks, like, ‘You want the lead in XYZ?’ and I’m like, ‘No.’”
Roan has appeared onscreen in many of her music videos, including ‘Pink Pony Club,’ ‘HOT TO GO!’ and ‘Good Luck, Babe!’ Her recent hit ‘The Giver’ became her third top-five single on the Billboard Hot 100.
Chappell Roan opens up about staying hopeful amid struggles
Before becoming a household name, Chappell Roan had a tough journey. She opened up about being dropped by Atlantic Records in 2020 after the lukewarm response amid COVID to her debut EP and early release of ‘Pink Pony Club’.
That song later gained success after it was re-released on her 2023 debut LP 'The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess' under Dan Nigro's Amusement Records.
She reflected on moving back to Missouri and taking up part-time jobs while holding on to her dreams.
“Whenever I was working at my part-time jobs, like nannying or the drive-through or doughnut shop, I kept hope alive because I knew I was really good,” Roan said.
“Every day I would think, Keep going, even if there was no sight of any light at the end of the tunnel. Zero!" she added.
Roan has also been vocal about her early struggles. During her 2025 Grammy Awards speech, she criticized record labels, saying they should provide artists with a livable wage and health care.
“I had to write a lot of bad songs to get to the good ones and artists deserve that freedom [to create art]. We must continue to support artists so they can find success on their own terms.”
— best of chappell roan (@bestofchappell) March 1, 2025
— Chappell Roan’s acceptance speech for International Song of the Year at the #BRITs. pic.twitter.com/TELrl7ZV4u
She said, “I got signed so young, I got signed as a minor. When I got dropped, I had zero job experience under my belt, and like most people, I had ... quite a difficult time finding a job in the pandemic and [could not] afford insurance.”
