Mariah Carey weighs in on Chappell Roan’s struggles with fame: “It’s not fun”

Chappell Roan recently revealed her experiences with depression stemming from her rapid rise to fame.

Mariah Carey has shared her thoughts on Chappell Roan's recent struggles with fame, admitting that there are times when being in the spotlight is “not fun.” This comment comes after Roan revealed her battle with severe depression, a mental health challenge she attributes to the pressures of her rapid rise to fame.

In a candid interview with The Guardian, Roan expressed the challenges of her newfound stardom, stating that normal activities now require her to “book security” and find ways to navigate public spaces without the fear of being stalked or harassed. Her struggles resonate deeply with many artists, including Carey, who has faced similar challenges throughout her illustrious career.

When asked for advice for young artists like Roan during a recent interview with the Associated Press, Carey reflected on her own journey. “I have been through my share of dramas and it’s not fun because you grow up thinking, ‘I want to be famous,’” she shared. “But ‘I want to be famous’ was right there with it,” she continued, emphasizing the importance of having a genuine passion for music over a desire for fame.

Roan has been vocal about her negative experiences with extreme fan behavior, describing fame as feeling “like an abusive ex-husband.” In an interview with The Face, she expressed her frustration with the normalization of invasive fan behavior, including online harassment and public confrontations. “I didn’t know it would feel this bad,” Roan remarked.

Several female artists, including Billie Eilish, Katy Perry, and Miley Cyrus, have come to Roan's defense, standing against the backlash she received on social media. Carey concluded her remarks by advising young performers to enter the industry with a love for their talent, rather than a desire for fame. “If it’s like, ‘I want to be famous. I want to run around with those people, whoever they are,’ then it’s probably not the best idea,” she cautioned.

Roan's mental health struggles have led her to prioritize self-care, resulting in her withdrawal from planned performances at the All Things Go Festival in New York City and Washington, D.C. She stated in an Instagram story that she needed time to focus on her health after feeling overwhelmed in recent weeks.

As the conversation surrounding the mental health of artists continues to grow, both Mariah Carey and Chappell Roan remind us of the importance of addressing the pressures that come with fame.