- Music
- 10 Jun 24
The artist revealed that she turned down the invite as she "wants freedom for all" which "especially means freedom for all people in occupied territories".
Dressed in a drag interpretation of the Statue of Liberty at New York’s Governors Ball Festival on Sunday night (June 9), queer pop musician Chappell Roan revealed that she had turned down an offer to perform at a White House Pride Event.
Explaining her decision, the rising star said: "In response to the White House, who asked me to perform for Pride, we want liberty, justice and freedom for all. When you do that, that’s when I’ll come.”
She spoke the message directly into a video camera broadcasting onto the festival’s giant screens.
Continuing the artist said: “I am in drag of the biggest queen of all,” referencing her costume.
“But in case you had forgotten what’s etched on my pretty little toes, ‘Give me your tired, your poor; your huddled masses yearning to breath free,'” she said, quoting the poem written on the 1903 bronze plaque in the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.
“That means freedom and trans rights, that means freedom and women’s rights, and it especially means freedom for all people in oppressed... in occupied territories.”
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chappell roan not only talking about but getting emotional while speaking about all the oppressed people on occupied lands oh let me stan immediately pic.twitter.com/EgfLXkB2tI
— ave (@grandykerenee) June 10, 2024
Chappell Roan, who released her debut album The Rise and Fall of The Midwest Princess last year, has found meteoric success after supporting Olivia Rodrigo on her GUTS tour, and her viral set at the 2024 iteration of Coachella.
The pop musician, who is heavily influenced by the artistry of drag, is set to perform a sold out show at Dublin's 3Olympia theatre on September 17.