This week, the BBC unveiled their Top Five Artists of their Sound of 2025 Countdown, with Chappell Roan named as their 2025 winner.
The annual BBC poll, designed to spotlight the biggest rising stars of the year, is decided by a panel of over 180 musicians and industry experts. This year, English Teacher, Myles Smith, Barry Can’t Swim, and Ezra Collective were recognised as emerging talents, with Chappell Roan claiming the title.
Jack Saunders, host of Radio 1’s New Music Show, praised the win, stating: “No one deserved this accolade more than Chappell Roan. She was the most exciting artist of the last 12 months and is now set to be the artist of the next 12 months.”
Pop star Chappell Roan wins BBC Sound Of 2025 https://t.co/6dftwwEFZX
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 10, 2025
Born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, this recognition marks the culmination of her long musical journey. The 26-year-old artist faced a major setback during the pandemic when she was dropped by her first label, Atlantic Records, after her single, ‘Pink Pony Club’, underperformed commercially.
The song has since become one of her most iconic pieces, and signalled a shift toward a more theatrical, danceable sound rooted in camp and queer culture.
Inspired by the singer’s first visit to a gay club in Los Angeles, the track reflects Roan’s personal transformation. Born in Willard, Missouri, in a devout Christian household, she attended church three times a week and grew up believing that “being gay was as bad as a sin” but has come to embrace her identity and is a proud advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
The club visit also inspired her bold stage persona Chappell Roan, whom she describes as a “larger-than-life, drag queen version of myself”.
As a result, her artistry and performances are unapologetically theatrical and incorporate themes of self-discovery and empowerment, resonating with fans worldwide. Her music – a vibrant blend of pop infused with 1980s synth pop and 2000s nostalgia – is characterised by emotional depth, infectious melodies, and dynamic energy.
After signing to a new record label, Roan released her debut album in 2023 ‘The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess’. Despite only selling a few thousand copies in its first week of release, the record gradually gained traction and catapulted her to new heights.
By April 2024, she was performing to a massive crowd at Coachella and opening for American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo on the first leg of her GUTS Tour. The album’s standout track, ‘Casual’, a dreamy and emotionally raw exploration of modern relationships, further solidified her reputation as a bold and fearless talent.
‘The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess’. went on to be nominated for Album of the Year for the 2025 Grammy Awards, and was followed by the release of her single ‘Good Luck, Babe’, which recounts her experience of falling in love with her best friend.
Speaking to the BBC about the song, Roan said: “It’s a pop song with a sad element to it. It’s very common in queer relationships, when someone is still coming to terms with their queerness, [that] they’ll kiss 100 boys to ‘stop the feeling’, as the song says.”
Her breakout year was capped by a show-stopping performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she also won the award for Best New Artist.
Chappell Roan’s remarkable journey from a small-town Missouri to international acclaim highlights her resilience and dedication to her sound. Her blend of theatrical pop, camp influences, and personal storytelling has firmly established her as one of the most exciting and significant voices in contemporary pop music. Being crowned the winner of the prestigious BBC Sound of 2025 marks the beginning of an exciting year ahead for the iconic singer.