Chappell Roan Recalls Disrespectful Audition for The Voice

Before captivating audiences with her glam-pop persona and unapologetic lyrics, Chappell Roan had a very different kind of spotlight moment—one that left her feeling overlooked.

In a recent interview with The Zach Sang Show, the singer opened up about a frustrating experience auditioning for The Voice nearly a decade ago. According to Roan, a producer was on the phone during her performance, making her feel invisible and dismissed.

A Moment That Could Have Changed Everything for Chapell Roan

Chappell Roan, now 26, explained that she was just 17 when she auditioned for the hit NBC singing competition. Hoping for her big break, she poured her heart into the performance, but the reaction, or lack thereof, told her everything she needed to know.

“I sang and [the producer] was on his phone the whole time,” she recalled. “I just left. I didn’t even finish the song.”

That lack of respect stung, especially for a teenage artist putting herself out there. The experience didn’t just bruise her ego—it influenced her perception of the music industry early on.

Turning Rejection Into Fuel

Rather than letting the moment define her, Roan used it as fuel. After the audition, she took a different path, signing with Atlantic Records and releasing her first EP in 2017. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing—her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, didn’t drop until 2023, and her label dropped her along the way.

Still, Roan’s journey is a testament to resilience. Her breakthrough didn’t come from a TV talent show—it came from relentless self-expression, hard work, and connecting with an audience who sees themselves in her music.

A Broader Issue in the Industry

Roan’s story isn’t just about one bad audition. It highlights a larger issue that many young artists—especially women—face in the entertainment world: being underestimated or not taken seriously. Auditions are vulnerable spaces, and a lack of basic respect can deeply affect a performer’s confidence.

In calling out the producer’s behavior, Roan isn’t just venting—she’s raising awareness. Her platform now allows her to speak on these experiences, giving others the courage to share their own.

Full Circle Moment

Ironically, the producer who brushed her off likely had no idea that Roan would one day become a rising star with viral performances, a dedicated fanbase, and critical acclaim. While The Voice passed on her, she found her own voice—and it’s louder than ever.

“I just remember feeling so invisible,” Roan said. But today, she’s anything but. Her growing success proves that rejection isn’t the end of the road—it’s sometimes just the detour you needed.

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