Chappell Roan stuns at VMAs: Fierce clapback and fiery performance

Chappell Roan assertively responded to a rude remark from a photographer on the VMAs red carpet. The tension before the show didn’t obstruct her spectacular performance and inspiring speech while accepting her award.

On September 11 at the UBS Arena in New York, the MTV VMAs awards ceremony took place. One of the nominated and performing stars of the evening was the music sensation of the past year, Chappell Roan. The 26-year-old was nominated in the Best New Artist category. Her hit "Hot to Go" received nominations for Song of the Summer and Best Viral Music Video.

Even before the start of the show, Roan became the subject of another viral moment. Social media buzzed with videos showing the artist snapping back at a rude photographer. Roan was talking to her assistant on the red (actually black) carpet while her assistant was preparing her dress for the official photos. One of the photographers decided to express his impatience in a less than subtle way.

The photographers shouted at Roan: "Shut the (...) up and turn around." The singer didn’t let that go uncommented. "You shut the (...) up,” she replied, pointing at the offender. She added, "Not with me, asshole." The people around responded to Roan’s assertive reaction with cheers.

Chappell Roan doesn’t do anything halfway. For the VMA stage, she brought an entire medieval castle, dancing knights, and plenty of fire. With her daring performance of "Good Luck Babe!" which she started by firing a flaming arrow from a crossbow, the artist earned a new nickname among her fans: Roan of Arc.

Accepting the award for Best New Artist, Roan dedicated it to all the drag queens who were her inspiration and to young people from the LGBTQ+ minority in the American Midwest. This term describes the central-western part of the United States, which is traditionally conservative and a "small town." That's also where Chappell Roan comes from, who titled her latest album "Midwestern Princess."