A charity that supports the mental health of artists has revealed it is “astounded” by the overwhelming, unexpected, and historic support Chappell Roan received after she raised her voice, raised awareness, and advocated for better rights for musicians at the Grammys, infusing new energy into the music community.
The ‘Pink Pony Club‘ hitmaker delivered an extremely emotional, inspiring, and impactful speech while winning the coveted and much-coveted award for Best New Artist, which prompted her to make a generous donation of $25,000 (£20,000) to US-based charity ‘Backline’. The move not only sparked hope for positive change in the music industry but also raised awareness and inspired countless musicians and fans.
Chappell Roan’s support stirs up stir: Charity receives massive donations after controversy; famous artists join in
Charity director Hilary Gleeson told BBC Newsbeat that after Chappell Roan’s impressive speech, the charity received even more support due to criticism of a column written by a music executive. Chappell’s views in that column were labeled “misinformation,” sparking debate in the music community and a wave of support.
“We really appreciate him using this historic moment to bring about real change in the music industry and take concrete action,” Hilary Gleeson said.
She also revealed that Monday was the “biggest fundraising day ever” for Backline, where Charli XCX, Noah Kahan, and other major artists matched his contribution in support of Chappell Roan’s generosity. This unprecedented support created new energy and awareness towards prioritizing musicians’ mental health.
Awareness campaign increased after Chappell Roan’s speech: Charity received tremendous support
Charity Director Hilary Gleeson revealed that following Chappell Roan’s impressive speech, there has been a massive outpouring of support from global touring companies, promoters, and key figures in the music industry. She said, “Many people have donated generously, and it is extremely inspiring to see the whole community coming together to support this important cause.”
Hilary described the initiative as “a movement” and said that it is not just a momentary effort but an important step towards bringing about lasting change in the music industry. She stressed, “To sustain this change, everyone in the industry—artists, promoters, fans, and other stakeholders—must come together to prioritize mental health.”
Chappell Roan shared her struggle-filled journey: Lost job during pandemic, could not afford insurance, Hilary exposed the truth of the music industry
During her emotional speech, Chappell Roan recalled the most difficult period of her career, when her music label abandoned her during the pandemic. She revealed that in this challenging time “she had to struggle to find a job, and it became impossible to afford health insurance.”
Charity director Hilary Gleason described Chappell’s experience as worrying, saying that “success in the music industry is different for everyone, but unfortunately, stories like Chapel’s are common.”
She explained that for new artists, “contracts received when starting a career in the music industry are not always transparent, leaving many artists feeling helpless and alone.”
In addition, Hilary also emphasized that “touring, that is, constant traveling, can also have a huge impact on the mental and physical health of artists.” “This lifestyle involves long periods of time away from home, which has a negative impact on relationships, increases mental stress, and often leads to problems of addiction or substance abuse,” he said.
He also added that “due to this uncertainty and pressure, many actors suffer from depression, anxiety, and burnout, but this is not discussed openly in the industry. We have to change this.”
“Help us make a difference”: Singer Jeff Dreko speaks out in support of Chappell Roan
Singer Jeff Dreko fully agrees with Chappell Roan’s powerful speech at the Grammy Awards. “Working as an independent musician is extremely challenging, especially when you don’t have a major label backing you,” the 24-year-old Washington, DC, artist told Newsbeat.
Jeff struggled with his mental health when he started his music career six years ago but couldn’t find a platform to help. “It can be traumatic when your career is your biggest passion and it’s hurting you,” he said.
The charity Backline offers financial and mental health support to the whole industry, from artists to tour bus drivers. However, both Jeff and Backline Director Hilary Gleeson feel that the music industry needs to make more radical and concrete changes to mental health.
The need for long-term support in the music industry: Hilary and Jeff’s big initiative
Hilary Gleason believes that supporting artists in the music industry should not be just a momentary initiative but rather an ongoing process from the start of a career to retirement. However, she admits that “it looks different than anything that’s existed before,” making it challenging to precisely define a future strategy.
For US artists, this support could range from ensuring easy access to healthcare to mental health support. Singer Jeff Drakeo stressed that “new artists should receive guidance and structural support early in their careers so they can better deal with uncertainties.” According to a report, UK artists are also facing similar challenges. A study by the charity Help Musicians in 2023 found that 44% of artists had income stability problems, while 23% were unable to support their families financially. This shows that the music industry needs fundamental changes to make artists mentally, financially, and structurally stronger.
Music Industry Controversy: Chappell Roan vs. Jeff Rabhan
In a column published in The Hollywood Reporter, music executive Jeff Rabhan argued that music labels are not charitable organizations, and artists are not traditional employees. He criticized Chappell Roan, calling her a “fraud,” claiming she is profiting from the very industry she is publicly condemning.
However, Chappell Roan clarified in her Instagram Story that her sharing her personal experience on the Grammy stage was not meant to put a “crowdfunding bandaid” on her face but rather a “call to action for industry leaders to step up and make real change.”
What’s more, Chappell challenged Rabhan to donate an amount equal to her donation. So far, there has been no response from Rabhan to requests made by Newsbeat.
