Chappell Roan’s VMA Performance Was A Perfect Medieval Midwest Hot Mess

I mean, is it even the MTV Video Music Awards if the youngest, hottest artist on the block isn’t here to cement their slot in music history on the very same platform where Britney Spears’ once slithered with Snakes?! I guess we don’t have to wonder because your favorite artist’s favorite artist Chappell Roan just hit the 2024 VMAs stage. (To be totally transparent, Chappell is more accurately my favorite artist’s latest musical interest, but I digress.) Like it or not, little Miss Midwest Princess had a lot to prove tonight, especially given the controversy over her Random Bitch rant (that’s how I personally think the history books will refer to it, anyway) in which Chappell chose firm boundaries over stan culture. While I don’t encourage anyone in the middle of a hands-on crash course in mega-stardom to utilize their front-facing camera without a publicist’s supervision, it’s clear that many celebs in the room tonight are fans of Chappell igniting a conversation about the weight that comes with being a famous Femininomenon. With the music community on her side and millions of fans agreeing to her particular plea to address her by her royal title only (as opposed to her government name), Chappell proceeded to make the whole damn country members of her “Pink Ponky Club” — if only for just a few “Super Graphic Ultra Modern” minutes. Let’s revel in the glory of Chappell Roan’s 2024 VMA performance so I have an excuse to clock in late tomorrow.

Chappell Roan’s 2024 VMA Performance Details

Olivia Rodrigo’s on-tour bestie looked “HOT TO GO!” from the moment she got spicy with a photographer on the VMAs black carpet, where she served demonic and iconic GOT wench energy. For her performance, the singer changed into a very Chappell-coded full face of drag that only queen Sasha Colby could properly introduce and wore a full set of chainmail and armor. Considering her cloak from the carpet was hundreds of years old, I can only imagine her armor was equally as authentic. It’s giving Joan of Arc meets Merida from Brave which is only fitting for the fresh face trying to change the music industry.

Image Credit: Getty Images

It would’ve been just about a crime if Chappell performed live for the first time on primetime television and didn’t sing “Good Luck, Babe!” but luckily no one had to even consider chanting “Lock her up” tonight. If you’ve already heard Chappell’s NPR Tiny Desk concert or her Tonight Show performance (not to mention the magical way she made the Bonnaroo livestream of her set feel like I had actually sprung for those overly priced festival tickets) then you’re no stranger to seeing her vibe live to colorful arrangements of her it-girl indie bangers.

Still, tonight Chappell made The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess’ breakout hit feel brand new again when she added elaborate “technical” pyrotechnics fans hadn’t seen before, which she teased were difficult to coordinate during the VMAs pre-show. During “Good Luck Babe” Chappell and her knights in shining armor stormed the castle in a dance circle and then burned it down afterward, just for good measure. I’d like to think they got the stunts coordinator from Game of Thrones to choreograph all that battle-ready swordswomanship. My only complaint is that it feels like she was on and off the stage in a New York minute. I guess we’ll have to wait for The Grammy to get an XL on-stage Chappell moment live.