Chapel Lone accepted the award for “Best New Artist” at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday night, where he acknowledged the influence of the LGBTQ community in his work.
The 26-year-old appeared on the red carpet in a 600-year-old robe, complete with a mint green cape, thigh-high boots, jewellery, a sword and a medieval rug, but then changed into an armour-inspired outfit as a homage to Joan of Arc and performed her hit single “Good Luck, Babe!”
She was still wearing the outfit when she accepted the Moon Person trophy from fellow singer Tinashe.
The 26-year-old singer Billboard After winning the Hot 100 and drawing huge crowds to her concerts, she read a speech she had written in her diary after winning, in which she thanked the LGBTQ community of which she is a part.
“I’d like to thank MTV, Island Records, my team, family and friends,” Loan said. “I dedicate this song to all the drag artists who have inspired me, and to all the queer and trans people who have energized the pop world.”
“Thank you to all the gay people who dedicate my songs to those they love or hate,” she added, “and thank you to all the fans who listen to my songs and listen when I share my joys and fears. Thank you for listening.”
“And to all the kids in the Midwest watching this show right now: I see you, and I understand you, because I’m one of you. And don’t let anyone tell you you can’t be whoever you want to be, bitch.”
Loan was also nominated for MTV Push Performance of the Year, Best Trending Video, and Song of the Summer, but did not win.
“Roan’s words on the VMAs stage will likely reach audiences less familiar with the LGBTQ community,” GLAAD’s Anthony Allen Ramos said in a statement. “It’s truly moving to see Chapelle Roan, who has had a meteoric rise to stardom, proudly displaying her identity as a queer woman in music and deeply committed to uplifting voices from all parts of the LGBTQ community.”
Ahead of the ceremony, Loan was praised by some fans and media for standing her ground on the red carpet after a photographer told her to “shut up”.
“Shut up,” she yelled back, pointing at the photographer. After getting help fixing her red carpet outfit, Loan added, wagging her index finger at the heckler: “Shut up! It wasn’t me, you bitch!”
The altercation was posted on social media platforms, Contains X.
Chapel Lawn is #Christmas He ordered the cameraman to “shut up,” eliciting a reaction from her. pic.twitter.com/jXaTfIH7yR
— 🏁 (@concertleaks) September 11, 2024
Roan’s response drew cheers and comments, with one attendee reportedly replying, “You say it.”
She later said: Tonight’s Entertainment Commenting on the altercation, she said: “It’s pretty overwhelming and pretty scary. I think carpets are scary for people who are nervous about being yelled at. So I yelled back. I yelled back! You can’t yell at me like that.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
