Singer Chappell Roan poses for a portrait in October in Chicago. (Mary Mathis/For The Washington Post)
Chappell Roan Says She’ll Vote for Kamala Harris but Won’t Endorse Her
Singer Chappell Roan recently stirred conversations across social media by revealing her stance on the 2024 U.S. presidential election. On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, she took to TikTok to share that while she intends to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, she does not plan to endorse her fully. This statement comes after Roan received criticism for her earlier comments regarding both major political parties in an interview with The Guardian.
Roan, a rising star in the music world and known for her outspoken political views, clarified that she won’t endorse Harris due to her dissatisfaction with some of the Democratic Party’s positions. Specifically, Roan criticized their stance on transgender rights and the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. At just 26 years old, Roan expressed her frustration, stating, “I’m not settling for what has been offered,” in her TikTok video.
Her comments have sparked widespread debate, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, of which Roan is a member. During the interview with The Guardian published on Friday, Roan voiced concerns about the U.S. government, expressing that she has “so many issues with our government in every way.” This candid critique, however, did not sit well with many activists and supporters who took to social media to express their disapproval.
LGBTQ+ activist Charlotte Clymer was among those to speak out against Roan’s comments, calling her position “privileged” on X (formerly Twitter). Clymer emphasized that Harris’s victory could prevent a second term for Donald Trump, which would be “horrific for all of us.” She pointed out that millions of adults, volunteers, and staff were working hard to elect Harris in hopes of preserving the rights of marginalized groups, especially in the face of increasing anti-trans legislation under Republican leadership.
Roan addressed the backlash in a TikTok post on Tuesday, insisting that her words were “completely taken out of context.” She reaffirmed that she would not vote for Trump but stopped short of fully endorsing any candidate. “I will always question those in power and those making decisions over other people,” Roan said, making it clear that she intends to stand up for what she believes is right, even if that means not aligning herself fully with one party or politician.
This stance continued to fuel online criticism, with some users questioning her approach. One Reddit comment summed up the sentiment many people share: “It’s either Harris or Trump. That’s the reality. What’s there to question?” This binary framing of the election has made Roan’s indecision harder for some of her fans and activists to understand, especially as many see Harris as the clear choice to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
On Wednesday, Roan attempted to further clarify her stance, stating in a follow-up TikTok video that although she would vote for Harris, she would not “put [her] entire name and [her] entire project behind one” candidate. She encouraged her followers not to “settle for what we have” and to be cautious about endorsing someone they don’t fully trust.
Roan’s critiques of the Democratic Party come at a time when transgender rights have been a highly polarizing issue. Kamala Harris has long expressed her opposition to state laws that restrict transgender people’s access to gender-affirming care and bathroom rights. She, along with President Joe Biden, has voiced strong support for gender-affirming care, in contrast to Trump’s stance, which seeks to remove anything promoting transgender identity from the federal government.
Roan also voiced her opinions on the Israel-Gaza war, criticizing the current U.S. stance. Harris has defended Israel’s right to protect itself in the war while also acknowledging the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians. According to reports from Gaza, more than 41,490 people have died since the war began, and the Israeli military has also suffered significant casualties. Roan, however, feels that the current administration’s response is inadequate and is concerned about the ongoing violence.
This isn’t the first time Roan has shared her political beliefs. At a concert in June, Roan announced that she had declined an invitation to perform at the White House, citing her dissatisfaction with the administration’s policies. She told the crowd, “We want liberty, justice, and freedom for all. When you do that, that’s when I’ll come.” This bold statement was met with applause but also raised questions about where Roan stood on key issues.
Roan, who gained national attention after performing at Coachella in April, has openly struggled with the pressures of fame. Known offstage as Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Roan adopted a stage name to create a separation between her personal life and her growing career. “Celebrity culture is weird,” she told The Washington Post in an interview last year. “I think it’s really bizarre and really unhealthy.”
Roan’s refusal to endorse Harris has drawn comparisons to other pop stars like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, who have thrown their support behind the vice president. While Roan’s position may not align with these bigger names, she stands firm in her belief that people should vote based on their own values, rather than following celebrities. She concluded her video by urging her fans to vote for “the best option” they believe in.
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