Chart-Topper Chappell Roan Reveals Severe Depression Diagnosis Amid Fan Backlash

Singer Chappell Roan has revealed she’s been diagnosed with severe depression and is in therapy, after receiving a backlash from some fans about her attitude towards her growing profile.

Roan currently has six songs in the US Hot 100, three in UK Top 40 music chart following the release of her debut album last year, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. She received this year’s award for Best New Artist at the MTV VMA Awards, but has received criticism for her complaints about her lack of privacy as she becomes ever more well-known.

She told The Guardian newspaper she now took twice-weekly therapy sessions, and was diagnosed last week with severe depression. She said:

“I went to a psychiatrist last week because I was like, I don’t know what’s going on. She diagnosed me with severe depression – which I didn’t think I had because I’m not actually sad. But I have every symptom of someone who’s severely depressed.”

Roan revealed her symptoms include brain fog, forgetfulness and poor focus as well as “a very lacklustre viewpoint.”

“I think it’s because my whole life has changed. Everything that I really love to do now comes with baggage. If I want to go thrifting, I have to book security and prepare myself that this is not going to be normal. Going to the park, pilates, yoga – how do I do this in a safe way where I’m not going to be stalked or harassed?”

Roan whipped up a viral storm at the VMA Awards when she rounded on a photographer who had been shouting at her on the red carpet, and said: “No, you shut the f*** up.”

She told The Guardian of the incident: “I’m very turned off by the celebrity of it all. Some girls have been in this so long that they’re used to that, but I’m not that girl. I’m not gonna be a sweetie pie to a man who’s telling me to shut the f*** up.”

Regarding her fanship, she said: “They think I’m complaining about my success. I’m complaining about being abused.”

In a previous interview with The Face magazine, Roan compared fame with “an abusive ex-husband.”