Chappell Roan on Falling in Love With Makeup and Finding Peace Amid Fame

What does it mean to you when you see people recreating your looks?

They are just having fun and I feel so happy for them that they feel good. It is so cool to be part of someone feeling good. I don’t know if there’s like a better feeling that I can feel other than me being joyful and then causing other people to be joyful. It’s like a chain reaction. That’s so awesome.

What’s the sweetest thing a fan has ever said to you?

One time a dad came up to me with his teenage daughter and had tears in his eyes and said that he’s so grateful for my music because it brought them together and helped repair their relationship. It was an overwhelming feeling of love that I felt from them, to know that I helped repair a father-daughter relationship — I don’t know what gets better than that.

What are you working on now?

I am taking a break to try to gear up for the next single because I want to be very strong mentally and kind of wrangle my creativity and hopefully figure out what type of music video I want to do next.

If you were a drugstore makeup product what would you be?

Probably the Essence Princess mascara, I think that’s what it is. Yes. Lash Princess. That’s what I’d be.

What are you doing to find peace?

I’m not in L.A. currently. I luckily have some friends that I can stay with in Washington, so that’s how I find peace. I’m so grateful that I have the option to even do that.

Have you ever thought about releasing your own makeup collection? If so, what would it include?

I think obviously I’d have to have a white foundation. I think some big lashes, some glitter rhinestones, and it would be a really deep lip. I love a deep lip.

What’s your dream makeup product that doesn’t exist?

I just need something that does not make white makeup look cakey and separate. I’ve never had a true white foundation that is completely flawless. I need a completely flawless one.

A lot of people are looking toward out gay figures like you for guidance and strength right now. What would you say to readers in that position?

I think if we really dig in our heels and really take the leap into focusing on creating meaningful community along with being really generous (monetarily, and emotionally, and physically) in our communities, maybe that is what will get us out of this. Or at least help us through it. There’s community within every town. It may not feel like what you expected your community to look like, but it does exist. It just may take a second to find. But if you start looking, you will find it. The author bell hooks has a wonderful book called All About Love and it changed my viewpoint on the world and how to love.

Faces of Music is now streaming on Hulu.

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