10 fun facts about Missouri’s own Chappell Roan before Kansas City concerts
Whether you know it or not, there is a Midwest Princess, and you are her subject.
Chappell Roan, who released the breakout album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” in 2023, will perform for sold-out crowds of 30,000 each on Oct. 3 and 4 in Kansas City.
And you’ll want to know what’s up if your kids, co-workers or neighbors don pink cowboy hats or dance the “YMCA”-like moves of “Hot to Go!”
The “Good Luck, Babe!” singer will perform at Museum and Memorial Park, which is the lawn area in front of the Liberty Memorial and the National World War I Museum and Memorial.
The pop star’s home state of Missouri is one of three locations for the mini tour — called Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things — which starts in New York City and ends in Los Angeles.
Get the lowdown on the “Femininomenon” with these 10 Chappell Roan facts.
10 things to know about Chappell Roan
1. Roan sees her onstage persona as drag, and the first drag show she went to was at Hamburger Mary’s in Kansas City.
2. Roan, a 27-year-old lesbian, is a Pisces sun, Sagittarius moon and Libra rising.
3. Born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, her stage name nods to her late grandfather — Chappell for his last name and Roan for his favorite song, the cowboy tune “The Strawberry Roan.”
4. As a little girl, Roan lived in a trailer park in Willard, Missouri, a town of 6,344 outside of Springfield.
5. Roan’s career suddenly blew up in 2024. Her Spotify monthly listeners increased 500% from February to April that year, before winning the 2025 Grammy for Best New Artist.
6. Roan loves Springfield-based chain Andy’s Frozen Custard — her go-to order is the James Brownie Funky Jackhammer, which is a peanut butter and brownie frozen custard concrete filled with hot fudge.
7. Early fans of Roan’s include gay musicians Elton John and Troye Sivan.
8. Several of Roan’s lyrics reference her Midwestern roots. In her song “California,” Roan sings, “I miss the seasons in Missouri, my dying town.” The lyrics of “Naked in Manhattan” describe thoughts about a crush as “constant, like cicadas in the summertime.”
9. Roan encourages fans to dress up for her concerts: The Kansas City ones are themed to “Pink Pony Club.”
10. She supports queer and trans individuals by donating to local organizations and inviting drag queens to perform at her shows.
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 12:27 PM.
