Many people know that I have never been a fan of pop music.

Whenever a Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran song plays on the radio, my husband instinctively changes the station. During my time at YSL News covering Grammy and MTV VMA Awards, I often puzzled our music writers with questions like “Who’s that?” and “What makes them popular?” as I watched new, fresh-faced artists perform catchy songs that I couldn’t connect with at all. I don’t keep track of the Top 40 hits that play during Uber or Lyft rides. Back in high school, I followed the trend, clinging to the cool kids by listening to Homecoming playlists on iPod Videos, but my interest in pop music waned as I grew older. I found solace in repeating my favorite millennial emo bands until teenagers began referring to Green Day as “dad rock.”

This year, however, after sharing my Spotify Wrapped on Instagram, I can bet many friends were surprised to see a number of tracks from an artist I’d only recently discovered: Chappell Roan. Summer hits like “Red Wine Supernova” and “HOT TO GO!” made their way into my Spotify playlists, sparking my curiosity about this talented new artist with stunning vocals and LGBTQ+ themes.

“I have a silly question,” I texted a musically-inclined friend in July. “Where did Chappell Roan come from?”

Initially, I pronounced Roan’s first name incorrectly as “Sha-pelle,” due to its similarity to comedian Dave Chappelle’s surname. I was only aware of a few of her catchy songs. But my friend’s detailed response provided deep insight into the meteoric rise of this Midwestern pop star, leading to my growing infatuation with her music and her dance moves that were perfect for TikTok.

Now I’ve dug deep into Chappell Roan’s music, learning nearly all her lyrics and the viral memes associated with her songs. My young child has picked up some of the (child-appropriate) lyrics, which is perfectly okay with me!

Over the years, there have been several new pop acts who have quickly risen to fame similar to Roan, but none have broken through my disdain for the genre. There’s something special about her—maybe it’s her genuine nature, the catchy tunes she creates, her rich voice, or the pride with which she represents the queer community. Perhaps it’s simply an intriguing charm that attracts not only teens and tweens but also 30-something moms who want to stay in touch with contemporary music.

It’s a combination of all these elements, further bolstered by her Grammy-nominated songs (Roan has received six nominations for the upcoming awards, including the major categories like album of the year and best new artist). Her unique, gravelly voice is simply addictive. Although my focus is usually on television, listening to her music feels like a binge-session as I cycle through her album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess” several times in one workday. I can confidently say that I’m hooked.

Chappell Roan has not only turned me into a fan but has also softened my critical view of pop music in general. It’s clear now that not all pop is formulaic or forgettable. My newfound appreciation for Roan’s music opened the door to explore albums by her friend Olivia Rodrigo, for whom Roan recently opened on the “Guts” world tour, and this summer’s breakout star, Sabrina Carpenter. While neither has quite the same hold on me as Roan, I now find myself happily humming along to “Espresso,” enjoying its inclusion in a “Saturday Night Live” skit.

So yes, I’ve previously been known for my disdain for pop music, but as Roan might say, I’m now confronted with “I told you so.”

I’m not ready to end this journey; I genuinely want to embrace it.