Upcoming artist, Chappell Roan, is receiving backlash for her recently uploaded TikToks where she called out “weird” behavior from fans. The “Hot To Go!” The singer uploaded the video on August 19th 2024, in this video she addresses the issues of fans approaching her in public.

“If you saw a random woman on the street, would you yell at her from the car window? Would you harass her in public? Would you go up to a random lady and say ‘Can I get a picture with you?’ “ Chappell Roan begins the video by asking. The topic emerged after Chappell reportedly declined photos with fans sparking the topic of controversy; should artists be able to set boundaries with fans?

Continuing the video, Chappell Roan continues to ask similar questions “Would you stalk her and her whole family?” After a situation where “fans” reportedly showed up at Roans’ sister’s work, asking for photos and asking questions about the singer’s family life and continuously deep diving the internet for any personal information about her and her family. As seen constantly in the media, many celebrities and artists experience “super fans” crossing boundaries and invading the privacy of a human being solely because of their ‘social status.’  Many people argue with Chappell claiming that “it’s part of the job.” Roan’s response in a follow-up video:

“I don’t care that abuse and harassment, stalking, whatever is a normal thing for people who are famous..I don’t care that it’s normal, I don’t care that this crazy behavior comes along with the job, the career field I’ve chosen, that does not make it okay. That does not make it normal.” 

This statement divided the internet with half agreeing that celebrities are entitled to their own privacy and the other half arguing that she owes it to her fans. Many of the people defending Chappell Roan use the deceased singer Christina Grimmie as an example, who met her demise during a meet and greet as she went in for a hug with her fan, her so called “super fan” reached into his pocket, pulled out a gun, and shot her three times point blank range. This is not the first time an artist has been killed or injured by their fans. John Lennon and Selena Quintanilla are prime examples. The point being; one can never be too cautious around strangers. 

Many fans blur the line between work and personal lives of celebrities. Often creating unhealthy parasocial relationships between said celebrity and fans. Many often forget that celebrities are strangers, no matter how much we think we know of them, we really know nothing. Just because an individual chooses to pursue a career in a field that they love does not automatically mean that person is the public’s property. 

Celebrities should be able to decline a photo. Celebrities should be able to demand respect without receiving hate. Celebrities do not owe the public their time. Chappell Roan ends her argument with an Instagram post on August 23rd.

In this post she makes clear to fans that when she is on stage performing, she is at work and in any other circumstances she is clocked out. She continues by thanking her fans that have actually respected her boundaries and had shown her support.  “I feel more love than I ever have in my life. I feel the most unsafe I have ever felt in my life. There is a part of myself that is just for me, and I don’t want that taken away from me.” 

At the end of the day, celebrities are human beings just like everyone else, and are entitled to their own privacy and personal life.