LOS ANGELES — As the 2025 Grammy nominations were about to be revealed, Chappell Roan shared that she once viewed many of her popular songs as “silly” and lacking in “depth” when it came to their lyrics.

However, with tracks like “Hot To Go!” “My Kink Is Karma,” and “Femininomenon” booming in popularity this past year — even earning her six Grammy nominations — the 26-year-old musician has come to embrace the idea of letting go of other artists’ opinions, while embracing “campy” vibes and the enchantment of drag. This has led her to create songs that are irresistibly danceable.

“That’s why I find it so simple to write fun, campy songs and not take things too seriously. When you have that collective mindset of ‘Let’s enjoy this together,’ it becomes easier to create a catchy tune,” Roan explained during an event at the Grammy Museum on Thursday night.

“It’s about creating songs like ‘Hot to Go!’ for the enjoyment of everyone in the audience — not just to impress other songwriters,” she said.

Now, four years after being dropped by her first label, Atlantic Records, and over a year since the release of her hit debut album “Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” Roan finds herself asking, “Does it really make a difference if it’s perceived as silly?”

During the event, Roan, along with her writing partner Daniel Nigro (who has collaborated with Olivia Rodrigo), discussed how their five years of working together produced an album that significantly elevated her career this past year.

‘Focusing on my health was simpler’ prior to fame, Chappell Roan reflects

With her vibrant scarlet hair shining brightly under the stage’s purple lights, Roan sometimes overflowed with excitement while answering questions from fellow queer artist Brandi Carlile, who moderated the night. However, the Missouri native and Grammy Camp alum appeared somewhat hesitant at times, only taking the microphone when Nigro offered her an opportunity to speak.

Roan, who has candidly shared her struggles with bipolar II disorder and the challenges of adapting to sudden fame and a busy tour schedule, was honest when asked by a fan about her mental health practices.

“My life has changed so drastically that my mental health routine is, let’s just say, it’s all over the place right now. This kind of year impacts people deeply,” she shared. “Last year, I took care of myself by going to bed on time, being mindful of my social media usage, and making time to enjoy outings with friends. But now many of those simple pleasures, like spending time outdoors, have changed.”

Earlier this year, Roan made headlines for publicly addressing fans who displayed what she termed “creepy behavior” that crossed her boundaries.

“Every significant event of my career unfolded in just five months. It’s wild — things I never imagined would happen, happened tenfold,” she recalled. “That really threw me off balance. I am still figuring out what an effective mental health routine looks like for me in these circumstances.”

In September, she canceled two festival appearances at short notice, citing feeling overwhelmed by pressures to juggle numerous responsibilities and the need to prioritize her health for a few days.

“Before, when my life was more manageable, it was about consistently taking my medications on time, getting enough sleep, and avoiding drugs,” Roan stated during her discussion with Nigro and Carlile. “Honestly, it might sound trivial, but caring for myself was much more straightforward.”

Inspired by ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, Chappell Roan Makes a Bold Shift to Pop

Looking back on her career since the release of her debut EP, “School Nights,” in 2017, Roan admitted to a significant change in her music style, moving away from a darker tone which no longer represents her.

“Back then, I dressed in all black on stage; I was serious about everything,” Roan reflected. “But when I decided to lighten up, that’s when my career began to take off, which is pretty daunting for a record label.”

This transformation led her to embrace camp and drag culture.

“I aimed to create my own version of something like the ‘YMCA’ because I wanted an interactive experience with the audience,” Roan said. She also pointed to the 2018 Oscar-winning film “Bohemian Rhapsody” as a pivotal influence for her transition into pop music.

“The scene of them performing ‘Radio Ga Ga’ during Live Aid—watching the crowd clap along—was a turning point for me,” she explained, mimicking the clapping rhythm from the unforgettable performance.

Chappell Roan Hints at Upcoming Country Track ‘The Giver’

Recently, Roan surprised her fans by venturing into the country music scene during her appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” With the unreleased song “The Giver,” she sings about how “only a woman knows how to treat a woman right/ She gets the job done.”

“It will definitely be released; so don’t fret,” Roan assured her audience.

Regarding hints about her next album, Dan Nigro mentioned that it’s still in the “early stages” of development.