cThe win comes at the close of a transformative year, where Roan transitioned from a struggling artist to a breakout star.
During her acceptance speech, Roan used the moment to call out the music industry, demanding better treatment for emerging artists. "I told myself that if I ever won a Grammy and got to stand up here before the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels in the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists," she said, receiving applause from the audience.
Roan shared her personal struggles, including being dropped by her label with no experience and facing the challenges of finding work during the COVID-19 pandemic. "It was devastating to feel so committed to my art and feel so betrayed by the system and dehumanized," she recalled. "Record labels need to treat their artists as valuable employees. Labels, we got you, but do you got us?"
Born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz in Missouri, Roan was drawn to music from a young age, playing piano and posting YouTube videos in her teens. After moving to Los Angeles and returning home to support herself as a barista, she eventually found success with singles like "Pink Pony Club" and "Naked in Manhattan."
Her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, received widespread praise, ranking among the year’s best releases. The album explores themes of sexuality, heartbreak, and longing, blending pop and dance beats with her vocal talents, which one critic described as “singing in cursive.”
While the album initially flew under the radar, Roan’s performances at major festivals helped propel her into the mainstream, and tracks like “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Hot to Go!” went viral. “Good Luck, Babe!” became her first Top 10 hit.
Known for her bold aesthetic, Roan often draws from drag culture, incorporating heavy makeup and campy costumes into her style. She has also been vocal in her support for queer and trans rights and for the Palestinian cause. Despite her rising fame, she has been open about the psychological challenges that come with it.
Roan’s win marks a milestone in her career, as she continues to use her platform to advocate for artists and push for systemic change in the music industry.
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