Call Her Daddy: Episode Summary

Title: Chappell Roan: Are People Scared Of Me?
Host: Alex Cooper
Guest: Kaylee Amstutz (Chappell Roan)
Release Date: March 26, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Call Her Daddy, host Alex Cooper welcomes singer-songwriter Kaylee Amstutz, known by her stage name Chappell Roan. The conversation delves deep into Chappell's personal and professional life, exploring her fashion choices, relationships, experiences with fame, and her evolving understanding of sexuality.

Style and Fashion

Chappell opens up about her distinctive fashion sense, often collaborating with stylists like Genesis Webb and designers such as Thom Browne. At one point, she reminisces about her bold outfit for Bonnaroo—a "club kid themed, latex, medical latex, sexy, kinky girl" ensemble that, despite being "disturbing," made her feel "so awesome" (01:27). She contrasts this with a more subdued look worn at Lollapalooza, where she appreciated the comfort of wearing tennis shoes. Chappell also shares a humorous yet candid story about dealing with a particularly memorable green spray from her outfit, which left her looking "moldy for four days" after extensive attempts to remove it (02:00).

Notable Quote:
Chappell reflects on her fashion transformations, stating, "I look scary, but, like, I love looking, like, kind of crazy and scary, but I love that." (02:03)

Personal Life and Friendships

Chappell discusses her close-knit relationships with friends from her Midwest upbringing, many of whom are now married with children. She expresses a sense of disconnect, questioning the realism of attaining similar life milestones (06:45). Despite her busy career, she maintains these friendships, although she humorously notes the challenges of meeting up due to their familial responsibilities.

Notable Quote:
On maintaining friendships amidst her rising fame, Chappell says, "They're really awesome. We have such different lives." (12:47)

Relationships and Sexuality

A significant portion of the episode delves into Chappell's views on relationships and her sexuality. She candidly shares her struggles with maintaining personal relationships amidst her career, highlighting the blurred lines between her public persona (Chappell Roan) and her private self (Kaylee Amstutz). Chappell expresses frustration over past relationships where she felt she compromised her values for companionship, leading to a sense of bitterness and self-respect issues (52:02).

Chappell also explores her journey with sexuality, identifying as queer and discussing her experiences dating women. She contrasts these relationships with past experiences with men, emphasizing a desire for mutual giving and understanding in romantic connections. Chappell admits to feeling overly sensitive and cautious in her personal interactions, a shift influenced by her public life and the vulnerability that comes with fame (35:08).

Notable Quote:
Reflecting on her sexual experiences, Chappell states, "When I started hooking up with women, I realized how easy it is to eat a girl out and how this whole time I thought it was..." (67:56)

Challenges of Fame

Chappell opens up about the pressures of fame, discussing the constant scrutiny and the invasive nature of being in the public eye. She shares unsettling experiences, such as unwarranted fans at the airport and feeling watched everywhere she goes. Chappell emphasizes the importance of mental health and boundary-setting, advocating for measures like spending more on security to protect her privacy (73:30).

Notable Quote:
On dealing with paparazzi and unsolicited attention, Chappell remarks, "People know everything about me. People know my flight numbers, People know everything." (76:10)

Music and Creative Process

Throughout the episode, Chappell discusses her music, particularly her song "Pink Pony Club," which is inspired by her experiences at the Abbey Club in Los Angeles. She describes the vibrant and chaotic atmosphere of the club, which initially ignited her passion for dance and performance. However, the intense environment also made her self-conscious, leading her to channel these feelings into her music (28:27).

Additionally, Chappell talks about her songwriting process, often turning personal turmoil into creative expression. For instance, her song "The Giver" addresses issues of mutual satisfaction in relationships, reflecting her personal growth and evolving understanding of intimacy (63:32).

Notable Quote:
On her creative inspiration, Chappell shares, "What I'm saying in the song is these country boys are not going to give you what you need if you want to have an orgasm..." (63:37)

Personal Struggles and Growth

Chappell candidly discusses her internal struggles with identity and self-worth, especially in the context of her career. She expresses resentment towards the aspects of fame that make it difficult to maintain a private life, leading to challenges in forming genuine connections. Chappell reflects on her past behaviors, acknowledging the sacrifices she's made for her career and the impact on her personal relationships (36:59).

She also touches upon societal expectations placed on her as a gay woman in the entertainment industry, facing pressure to be politically correct and knowledgeable about various social issues. Chappell asserts her limitations, emphasizing that while she strives to be informed, she doesn't possess all the answers (43:54).

Notable Quote:
Regarding societal pressures, Chappell states, "I'm a pop star. I wish I had the answers. I wish the president was a pop star, but she's not." (44:11)

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Chappell expressing gratitude for the support from fellow female artists and sharing her aspirations for future projects, including new music and festival looks. Alex Cooper praises Chappell for her honesty and relatability, highlighting the authenticity she brings to her conversations.

Notable Quote:
Chappell sums up her journey with pride, saying, "I did not do, like, I did not jump through the hoops that I was told I had to to get a Grammy." (77:39)

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity in Fashion: Chappell values bold and unique fashion choices that reflect her personality, even when they lead to humorous mishaps.

• Navigating Fame: The pressures of fame significantly impact personal relationships and mental well-being, leading to a need for strict boundaries.

• Evolving Sexuality: Chappell's journey into embracing her queer identity has reshaped her understanding of intimacy and mutual satisfaction in relationships.

• Creative Expression: Personal struggles serve as a foundational element in Chappell's songwriting, allowing her to transform adversity into art.

• Societal Expectations: As a gay woman in the music industry, Chappell faces additional pressures to be politically correct and socially informed, which she navigates with honesty and self-awareness.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• 01:27: "I wore one for Bonnaroo that was club kid themed, and it was latex, medical latex, sexy, kinky girl." – Chappell Roan
• 02:03: "I look scary, but, like, I love looking, like, kind of crazy and scary, but I love that." – Chappell Roan
• 35:08: "I think that was a part of myself that was fun and, like, I feel like that part of me exists on stage." – Chappell Roan
• 63:37: "These country boys are not going to give you what you need if you want to have an orgasm." – Chappell Roan
• 76:10: "People know everything about me. People know my flight numbers, People know everything." – Chappell Roan

For a more in-depth understanding, listen to the full episode of Call Her Daddy featuring Chappell Roan on her journey through fame, personal growth, and the complexities of modern relationships.