Jun 10
Queer Pop Star Chappell Roan Refuses White House Invite, Cites Gaza
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Queer pop sensation Chappell Roan claimed she refused an invitation to perform at the White House, telling a concert crowd that the war in Gaza was the reason, political news site The Hill reported.
The "Good Luck, Babe" singer was performing at the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City this past weekend when she declared, "As a response to the White House, who asked me to perform for Pride: We want liberty, justice and freedom for all. When you do that, that's when I'll come."
The moment was captured on video and shared on X, The Hill noted.
The Hill detailed that the singer made her comments after having appeared in a Statue of Liberty costume and riffing on the famous poem engraved on the towering symbol of American freedoms in a moment that was also shared on social media.
@rollingstone @chappell roan gets emotional talking about her symbolic outfit at #Govball #chappellroan #chappellroantour #chappellroanconcert #chappellroanmidwestprincess #chappellroantiktok #tour #concert #fyp #fypツ #foryou ♬ original sound - Rolling Stone
"I am in drag as the biggest queen of all," the singer said to cheers. "But in case you had forgotten what's etched on my pretty little toes, 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.'"
Roan then gave her interpretation of the immortal words.
"That means freedom in trans rights. That means freedom in women's rights. And it especially means freedom for all people and oppressed. It especially means freedom for all oppressed people in occupied territories."
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.