QUEENS, New York — Chappell Roan’s rise has been one of the most inspiring stories in recent pop music. What started as a small but devoted following has grown into something much bigger — a movement, a safe haven, a loud and unapologetic celebration of queer identity. On September 20, Roan brought her Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things pop-up tour to Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, playing to a sold-out crowd of 14,000 people.
For those who have been following her journey, the transformation feels surreal. In 2023, she was still playing mid-size venues like House of Blues in Boston and Brooklyn Steel in New York. Back then, there was already an undeniable sense that Chappell Roan was destined for arenas. Her energy, her stage presence, and her connection to her fans made it obvious that she wasn’t just another up-and-coming act — she was a pop star in the making. Fast forward two years, and she’s a Grammy-winning artist, performing in stadiums, inspiring a new generation of fans who see themselves in her.
Born in Missouri and raised in a conservative, religious environment, Roan’s journey hasn’t been easy. She grew up queer in a setting where self-expression was often discouraged, and that upbringing continues to shape her art. She calls herself the “Midwest Princess,” a nod both to her roots and to the transformation she’s undergone to embrace her authentic self.
When she takes the stage, she brings with her the weight of that journey — not in a heavy way, but as a reminder of resilience. For fans, seeing her perform is not just entertainment; it’s proof that radical self-acceptance is possible. She is living evidence that the little kid who felt out of place can grow up to be celebrated for the very things that once made them feel different.
At Forest Hills, Roan reflected on that history directly:
“I just needed a place like this so bad whenever I was 13, 14,” she told the crowd. “Just because I wanted to dress up however I wanted to. I wanted to wear makeup and look weird. I hope that you’re welcome here in however you show up today. This is exactly what I want you to be. You are cherished. You are cherished. Thank you for being here.”
Her words struck a chord. Thousands of fans roared in response, many of them dressed in glitter, rhinestones, and pink — a sea of vibrant self-expression that turned the stadium into a kind of queer utopia, if only for one night.
Fans didn’t just come to watch Roan perform; they came to participate in something bigger. Queer joy radiated from the stands and the pit, from the moment the gates opened. Some fans recreated Roan’s most iconic looks from her music videos and past performances, including her unforgettable Lady Liberty outfit from Governor’s Ball 2024. Others crafted their own creative spins on her colorful, campy aesthetic, treating the concert like both a fashion show and a communal celebration.
Miki DiFrietus, one of the first in line, described the atmosphere best: “Roan’s shows are all about queer joy.” For her and her friend Tess Gomez, arriving early was about more than getting a good spot — it was about soaking in every moment of the community Roan has fostered.
That community extends to the artists she chooses to uplift. Every stop on her tour features a drag opener, a deliberate choice that speaks to her commitment to supporting local drag performers at a time when drag shows are under political and cultural attack. For fans like Gomez, this representation matters: “It’s important to have a pop star represent women-loving-women,” she said.
Even Japanese Breakfast — the indie-pop project of musician and author Michelle Zauner — who opened the show, highlighted Roan’s impact. “It’s so special to be opening up for someone I really believe in who is bringing so much joy and positivity into the world,” Zauner told the crowd.
Outside the stage, the Forest Hills Stadium setup reflected Roan’s mission of creating not just concerts, but safe and affirming spaces. Alongside the merch booths and photo areas were information tables from the Ali Forney Center, which supports LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, and the LGBT Center, which provides resources for the community. For many attendees, the presence of these organizations reinforced that Roan’s shows aren’t just about music — they’re about visibility, solidarity, and action.
Roan herself made sure to acknowledge how difficult the current moment can feel for LGBTQ+ people. Before performing the deep cut “Love Me Anyway,” she prefaced the song with a reminder: “The world is really hard and painful right now.” Yet even in acknowledging the pain, she carved out space for hope and healing.
During the euphoric closer “Pink Pony Club,” she shouted out her fans and the drag queens once more: “I love you, I love you, I love you. Thank you.”
Of course, at the center of all of this was the music. Roan’s setlist for the Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things tour is a perfect blend of her biggest hits, deep cuts, and fan favorites. She opened with “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” and “Femininomenon,” setting the tone with high-energy anthems that showcase her theatrical pop style.
The night included beloved tracks like “Naked in Manhattan,” “Casual,” “HOT TO GO!” and the infectious “Red Wine Supernova.” Fans screamed every word, turning the stadium into a massive singalong.
One of the standout moments was her cover of “Barracuda” by Heart — a song that not only showed off her powerhouse vocals but also connected her to a lineage of bold, defiant women in rock.
By the time she reached “Good Luck, Babe!” and “My Kink Is Karma,” the crowd was fully immersed, dancing and shouting with abandon. Closing with “Pink Pony Club” was the perfect finale, a song that has become something of a queer anthem, celebrating chosen family and the freedom to be unapologetically oneself.
Throughout her career, there has been pressure on Chappell Roan to be more — to be the perfect activist, to say the right things at the right time, to embody an idealized version of celebrity. But watching her perform makes it clear that her greatest strength lies in her presence itself. She doesn’t need to constantly explain her politics because her existence, her art, and her community-building are the politics.
Her concerts remind us that existence is resistance — especially for queer people in a world that often tries to silence them. By creating a space where fans can show up in all their weirdness, beauty, and individuality, she turns each show into a collective act of resistance.
And perhaps that’s why the demand for her is growing so rapidly. Every time she plays, it feels like the last time you’ll see her in a venue that “small.” The venues keep getting bigger, but the intimacy — the sense of belonging — never diminishes.
Looking out at 14,000 fans at Forest Hills Stadium, Roan herself admitted she could hardly believe how far she’s come. “It’s been quite a year,” she told the audience. “I can’t believe we’re here, honestly. It’s crazy. Thank you for sticking with me through it.”
That humility is part of her appeal. Even with the Grammys, the larger venues, and the growing mainstream recognition, she hasn’t lost sight of the people who made it possible: the queer kids, the drag performers, the fans who see themselves reflected in her.
If the past two years are any indication, Chappell Roan’s career is only going to continue climbing. But no matter how high she rises, the core of her artistry — radical self-acceptance, queer joy, and unapologetic resistance — will remain the same.
At Forest Hills Stadium, surrounded by pink, glitter, rhinestones, and love, it was clear: Chappell Roan isn’t just performing. She’s building a world. And for the 14,000 people who got to live in that world for a night, it was exactly the place they needed to be.