Chappell Roan Declined to Perform at the White House Until There’s “Freedom for All”

The Midwest Princess has spoken.

While performing at the New York City music festival Governors Ball on Sunday, singer Chappell Roan told those in attendance that she recently turned down an offer to perform at the White House during LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

“As a response to the White House, who asked me to perform for Pride, we want liberty, justice, and freedom for all,” she said. “When you do that, that’s when I’ll come.”

A rep for the singer confirmed to Variety that the White House did, in fact, reach out to Roan, and that she declined.

Roan, whose aesthetic is heavily influenced by drag, delivered the message while wearing a sparkly yellow and black dress labeled “NYC TAXI” and checkered black and white gloves. Earlier in her set, Roan wore full Statue of Liberty drag, complete with head-to-toe shimmery pale green makeup. She addressed her Lady Liberty getup while sharing another political message.

“I am in drag of the biggest queen of all,” Roan said. “But in case you had forgotten what’s etched on my pretty little toes, ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. That means freedom in trans rights. That means freedom in women’s rights.”

Elton John Is Just As Obsessed With Chappell Roan As We Are

On John’s radio show Rocket Hour, the two queer pop icons exchanged heartfelt compliments.

She continued and seemed to get emotional while making her next statement. “It especially means freedom for all oppressed people in occupied territories,” she said, eliciting cheers from concertgoers.

The response to Roan’s comments on social media was overwhelmingly positive. “THIS is what having a platform is about. We’re so lucky to have her,” one user wrote. Another said, “I can tell she’s nervous about making a statement and I’m so proud that she made it anyways.”

Roan has had a banner year since she dropped her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess in September. She had a much-lauded NPR Tiny Desk Concert, scored her first Billboard Hot 100 song with “Good Luck, Babe!”, and opened for Olivia Rodrigo on her GUTS Tour.

Roan’s comments in support of people in “occupied territories” came only one day after an Israeli raid killed at least 274 Palestinians to rescue four hostages in Hamas custody. President Joe Biden has said that he “won’t stop” working until all hostages are released and “a ceasefire is reached.”

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