Dive into Chappell Roan’s unforgettable performance and interview on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” showcasing her vibrant style and unique artistic inspirations. Discover the influence of Sasha Colby on her rising career.
Chappell Roan’s Spectacular Performance on The Tonight Show
On Thursday night, the rising pop sensation Chappell Roan delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.” Roan, known for her vibrant style and powerful vocal performances, captivated the audience with her latest single, “Good Luck, Babe!” She appeared in an eye-catching black feathered outfit during her interview, only to switch to a different feather-adorned dress for her performance.
Roan’s rendition of “Good Luck, Babe!” was nothing short of breathtaking. The performance took place in a surreal garden-like setting, beginning and ending with Roan seated on a throne shaped like a white swan. Her formidable vocal range was on full display, particularly during the climactic “I told you so!” segment, which left the audience in awe.
A Memorable Interview with Jimmy Fallon
The interview segment of the show marked Chappell Roan’s first appearance on late-night television. Fallon started the conversation with a nostalgic touch, showing a photo of a young Roan performing at a small event years ago. Roan humorously described the event as “this weird gay festival,” and reminisced about performing “Pink Pony Club” for the first time. This song, an ode to a mythical nightclub where everyone can be a queen, features on her debut album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess.”
Fallon then juxtaposed this with a photo of Roan’s recent performance at New York’s Governors Ball festival, which drew a massive crowd. The contrast highlighted Roan’s meteoric rise in the music industry. Reflecting on her journey, Roan joked, “It feels like I was right all along,” but quickly added that she felt she had already “made it” when people started attending her concerts a few years ago. The massive crowd at Governors Ball was simply “the cherry on top.”
Chappell Roan’s Unique Style and Inspirations
When asked about her unique fashion sense, Roan acknowledged her stylist, Genesis Webb. She described her style inspirations as a mix of drag, horror movies, burlesque, and theater. Roan’s look for the night, featuring two-foot-long feathers from her chest and dramatic eye makeup, exemplified her love for combining beauty with elements of the bizarre and the theatrical.
The Vision Behind the Look: Swan Lake Inspiration
Roan’s stylist, Genesis Webb, collaborated with her to craft a look that drew from a wide array of influences, including drag, horror movies, burlesque, and theater. For this performance, the 2003 Barbie of Swan Lake served as the primary muse. The aim was to embody both the purity of White Swan queen Odette and the dark allure of Black Swan Odile.
Hairstyling Brilliance by Dom Forletta
To achieve this ethereal transformation, hairstylist Dom Forletta played a pivotal role. Roan’s signature red curls were hidden beneath a bleach blonde wig, enhanced with extensions to match the fullness of her natural hair. This transformation was further accentuated by blocking her eyebrows and framing her eyes with strategically placed feathers, crafted by makeup artist Andrew Dahling.
Forletta shared insights into the hairstyling process, revealing the use of a ghd Thin Curling Wand and classic figure 8 waves with hairpins to achieve Roan’s signature curls. The final touch, R&Co’s Balloon Dry Volume Spray, added the desired volume and lift to the hairstyle.
A Detailed Breakdown of Chappell Roan’s Makeup
Feathered Elegance by Andrew Dahling
Dahling’s makeup artistry was nothing short of magical. The focal point was the feather details around Roan’s eyes, meticulously placed to create a captivating and ethereal effect. These feathered accents echoed the Swan Lake theme, blending seamlessly with the overall aesthetic.
Nail Art by Juan Alvear
Nail artist Juan Alvear took the Swan Lake inspiration to new heights with Roan’s nail design. Described as six-inch talons, each nail was crafted to mimic the quill of a plucked feather. Alvear used Artic Jelly and Buttercup Jelly from Essie, creating a gradient effect from opaque to translucent, complete with striation detailing. To enhance the theatricality, long wisps of ostrich feathers were added, ensuring the nails had both movement and stage presence.
Sasha Colby’s Influence and Roan’s Artistic Journey
Jimmy Fallon also brought up a quote from Roan’s Coachella performance, where she declared herself “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” This quote has gained traction recently, with SZA sharing it on her Instagram story and Sabrina Carpenter covering “Good Luck, Babe!” on the BBC. Roan credited the quote to veteran drag performer Sasha Colby, whom she deeply admires.
A moment of connection occurred when a fan in the audience cheered at the mention of Colby’s name, prompting Roan to acknowledge the presence of LGBTQ+ supporters in the crowd. Roan expressed her hope that Sasha Colby would one day watch her perform and hear how much she inspired her.
Roan’s Rising Success
With three songs currently in the Billboard Hot 100 and numerous festival appearances lined up for the summer, Chappell Roan’s career is on an upward trajectory. Her performance and interview on “The Tonight Show” showcased her talent, charisma, and the unique artistic vision that has garnered her a dedicated following.
FAQs
Why is she called Chappell Roan?
Originally named Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, she chose the stage name Chappell Roan to honor her late grandfather, Dennis Chappell, whose favorite song was “The Strawberry Roan” by Marty Robbins.
How did Roan describe her style inspirations?
Roan’s style inspirations include a mix of drag, horror movies, burlesque, and theater. Her unique fashion sense was highlighted during her appearance on The Tonight Show with her eye-catching feathered outfits and dramatic makeup.
Who is Sasha Colby to Chappell Roan?
Sasha Colby is a veteran drag performer whom Chappell Roan deeply admires. Roan credited Colby for inspiring the quote, “your favorite artist’s favorite artist,” which has recently gained traction.
Is there a real Pink Pony Club?
Nope. In a recent interview with Headliner magazine, Roan clarified that the Pink Pony Club isn’t tied to a particular location.
Who are Chappell Roan’s parents?
Roan, born as Kayleigh Amstutz, was raised in Willard, Missouri, by her parents Dwight and Kara Amstutz. Born in February 1998, she gained prominence following the release of her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, in September 2023
What are Roan’s future plans?
With three songs in the Billboard Hot 100 and numerous festival appearances lined up for the summer, Roan’s career is on an upward trajectory. She continues to captivate audiences with her unique artistic vision.