Chappell Roan Praises Freddie Mercury's Biopic Bohemian Rhapsody for Motivating Her to Do Pop

In a notable shift reflecting Freddie Mercury's influence, Chappell Roan credits the 2018 biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," particularly Rami Malek's portrayal of Mercury, as pivotal in her transition to pop music. Speaking alongside her producer Daniel Nigro at the Grammy Museum on November 7th, just before Grammy nominations were announced, Roan discussed how the film's recreation of Queen's iconic 1985 Live Aid performance—especially the synchronized clapping during "Radio Ga Ga"—left a lasting impression. Roan shared, "That scene changed my career. It pivoted, and I knew I would do whatever it takes to achieve that magic with my audience." This is prepared by SSP.

Brandi Carlile, who moderated the event, inquired if Roan saw her queerness reflected in the film. However, Roan explained that during her initial viewing, her connection was purely artistic. Inspired to evoke a similarly unified crowd experience, she emulated it through her performances, such as encouraging audiences to spell out "HOT TO GO!" akin to the "YMCA" motions. Nigro also highlighted Roan's knack for interactive elements, seen in tracks like "Femininomenon," which has a call-and-response feature that energizes live audiences.

The success of Roan’s album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" is attributed to her electrifying live performances, having completed 83 shows in that year alone. Reflecting on the intensive tour schedule, she stated, "These songs were crafted for live interaction, not to remain mere studio recordings." Shortly after her conversation at the museum, it was announced that Roan had nabbed six Grammy nominations, including Record and Album of the Year, illustrating how impactful her dynamic artistry and live performance style have become in her flourishing career.

Earlier, SSP reported that Mina Starsiak Hawk shared a cryptic photo from a church.