Chappell Roan Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles and Suicide Contemplation

US pop sensation Chappell Roan, known for her viral hits like “Red Wine Supernova” and “Good Luck, Babe!” has recently shared her struggles with mental health, revealing how the journey to fame has impacted her life.

The 26-year-old, born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, signed her first record deal in 2017 after gaining attention with an original song on YouTube. Her debut album, ‘The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess’, released in 2023, earned a cult following and was described as a “sleeper hit” by early 2024.

She’s had an unprecedented rise to fame (Picture: Steve Jennings/FilmMagic)

Since then, Roan has topped the charts, toured with Olivia Rodrigo, and amassed nearly 45 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

However, Roan’s path to success was not without its challenges. Two years ago, she faced severe mental health issues and contemplated suicide.

In an interview with *Rolling Stone* for her cover story, Roan discussed her struggle with hypomania, a symptom of bipolar II disorder characterised by elevated mood and hyperactivity.

In 2021, Roan struggled with insomnia and was on the wrong medication, leading to a period of intense mental distress. “I wasn’t sleeping.

Chappell has been open about her boundaries after fearing for her safety (Picture: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)

I had the energy and the delusion,” she said, reflecting on that time. Despite feeling suicidal at different points in her life, it was during this period that she first seriously considered ending her life.

Roan sought help after a performance in San Francisco, realising she needed treatment to manage her mental health. “I realised      I can’t live like this. I can’t live being so depressed or feel so lost that I want to kill myself,” she explained.

She expressed gratitude for the support she received, acknowledging that she would have struggled to cope with her fame even a year ago.

The likes of Sir Elton John and Lady Gaga have offered her support (Picture: Mary Mathis for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Despite these personal battles, Roan has managed to excel in her career. At the end of 2022, she completed a sold-out headline tour and was cautious about choosing a new label, demanding detailed marketing plans and future projections from potential partners.

Roan has also faced difficulties related to her rising fame. Recently, she went viral on TikTok for setting boundaries after experiencing issues with stalkers and intense fans.

Chappell received backlash when she cancelled her shows to prioritise performing at the VMAs (Picture: Instagram)

One troubling incident occurred when fans tracked her flight information and confronted her at the airport in Seattle. The encounter left her emotionally distressed.

The singer has praised fellow artists for their support, including Charli XCX, Paramore’s Hayley Williams, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Sabrina Carpenter, and Lady Gaga, who offered her personal support. Elton John has also expressed his protective feelings towards Roan, describing her as someone he feels he has known for a long time.

Roan is currently preparing for her performance at the VMAs, following controversy over her decision to cancel several European tour dates to rehearse.

The cancellation sparked debate online about artists’ relationships with their fans, joining a list of recent high-profile cancellations by other artists.

As Roan continues to navigate the pressures of fame and mental health, she remains a prominent figure in the music industry, balancing her career success with personal challenges.