Chappell Roan didn't mean to crowdsource funds for musicians, but it’s happening anyway

Famous musicians are weighing in and (pink) ponying up in response to Roan's Grammy speech.

By Mary Kate Carr | February 10, 2025 | 11:12am

Screenshots: Late Night With Seth Meyers; BBC Radio 1; Apple Music (YouTube)

Music News Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan didn't mean to crowdsource funds for musicians, but it’s happening anyway

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Chappell Roan isn’t backing down from her big Grammys declaration, nor is her media opponent Jeff Rabhan backing down from his criticism. After his “Chappell Groan” op-ed, Roan heeded his call to “put [her] money where [her] mouth is” and challenged him to match a $25,000 donation to musicians in need. Rabhan criticized her response to his response, and lamented that he was but a lowly educator who doesn’t have the funds for such an endeavor. (It’s unclear if Rabhan, who worked as a music executive for much of his career, is being entirely honest about that.) But there are other famous and wealthy people willing to heed Roan’s call, notably Noah Kahan and newly minted Grammy winner Charli xcx.

“Hey @chappellroan, I’m going to match your 25k to support artist’s access to healthcare. I’m inspired by you. Happy to get the ball rolling. Money where my mouth is!” Kahan posted on his Instagram Story. Shortly after, Charli pledged another $25k, writing on her own IG Story, “I saw @noahkahanmusic say he would do the same and so I thought I’d follow suit. Your speech at the Grammys was inspiring and thoughtful and from a genuine place of care. Happy to help get the ball rolling too. Money where my mouth is xx.”

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It’s a nice little ball Roan has set to rolling, but as she posted on her own Instagram on Sunday, it’s not actually what she intended. “Sharing my personal experience on the Grammy stage wasn’t meant to be a crowdfunded bandaid but a call to action to the leaders of the industry to step up, help us make real change and protect their investments in a sustainable way,” she wrote. “My mind will not be changed about artists deserving more than what’s standard in the industry. Random dudes are allowed to criticize my Grammy speech, but they best put their money where their mouth is, otherwise MOVE out of the way.”

Whether Roan’s call to action prompts real, tangible change in the music industry remains to be seen, but it can at least be said that she’s prompted conversation about the issue. “When Nirvana signed with a major label, our accountant suggested we join @sagaftra,” Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic responded to a Roan-related Stereogum post on Twitter/X. “We did and I have had great health insurance for 35 years.”

That said, Roan shared the receipts proving that her money is actually going where her—well, you get it already. She highlighted the organization Backline Care, which aims “[to] connect music industry professionals and their families with a trusted network of mental health and wellness providers.” In her post, Roan wrote, “Fans, y’all don’t have to donate a damn penny. This is one of many opportunities for the industry powers to show up for artists. There is much more work to be done.”