To say the 2024 VMAs were a momentous night for Chappell Roan would be an understatement. Not only did the star wow the audience both at New York's UBS Arena and at home with a Joan of Arc-inspired performance that solidified her status as a pop star, but she also took home her first award ever.
On September 11, shortly after taking to the stage to perform her hit single “Good Luck, Babe!”, Roan was crowned as this year's Best New Artist at the VMAs. Tinashe was in charge of handing Roan her first Moon Person — which, as mentioned above, also happens to be her first award ever.
Roan, who had previously graced the red carpet in a 600-year-old robe, complete with her own sword and medieval rug, changed into an armor-inspired two-piece to collect her award. Her most poignant accessory, however, was not made of metal but paper, as the singer was equipped with her own diary to inform her speech.
Roan, who was glaringly jittery, announced that she had written the speech in her diary before the show, which she proceeded to read to the crowd. “Thank you MTV and Island Records and my team and my family and friends,” Roan began her heartfelt speech. “I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspired me. And I dedicate this to queer and trans people that fuel pop all around.”
Roan continued, dedicating her Moon Person “to the gays who dedicate my songs to someone they love… or hate. And thank you to the people who are fans, who listen to me, who hear me when I share my joy and my fears. Thank you for listening.”
She then added a special mention “for all the queer kids in the Midwest.” She said: “[If you are] watching right now, I see you, I understand you, because I'm one of you. And don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't be exactly who you want to be, b*tch.”
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Roan was one of many first-time VMAs nominees this year. Though she was nominated for four awards, including Best Trending Video and Song of the Summer, Best New Artist was the only one she ended up taking home.
This Best New Artist trophy might be her first award but we have a feeling it won't be the last. There's already chatter that the singer, who recently told Rolling Stone she's working on new music and plans to take a break later in the year to complete a new project, will likely grab at least one Grammy nod this fall. What can we say? It's Chappell Roan's world and we are lucky to be living in it!
