Chappell Roan Slams Criticism over 2025 Grammys Speech, Challenges Music Exec to Donate $25K to 'Dropped' Artists

Mar. 15, 2025

Chappell Roan in February 2025.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

ForChappell Roan, it’s not just about words — it’s action.

On Friday, Feb. 7, the pop star, 26, responded to music executive Jeff Rabhan, who penned a controversial op-ed forThe Hollywood Reporteron Wednesday, Feb. 5that criticized her2025 Grammysspeech, where she called for the music industry to offer artists “a livable wage and health care” for artists.

In a series ofInstagram Stories, Roan challenged Rabhan — former chair of the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and the co-founder and CEO of “edutainment platform"bored-of-ed.com— to match her in a donation to musicians.

“@jeffrabhan wanna match me $25K to donate to struggling dropped artists? My publicist is @biz3publicity. let’s talk,” shecaptioned the first post, using a screenshot of the op-ed as a backdrop.

Chappell Roan calls out Jeff Rabhan on Instagram.Chappell Roan/Instagram

Chappell Roan/Instagram

Inher next post, she told fans that she’d “keep everyone updated on the much awaited” response from Rabhan, noting that she’ll “show receipts of the donations.”

Added Roan: “Mr. Rabhan I love how you said “put your money where your mouth is” Genius !!! Let’s link and build together and see if you can do the same 🔥🔥🔥”

Afterperforming “Pink Pony Club"andtaking home the gramophonefor best new artist at this year’s Grammys on Sunday, Feb. 2, the “Casual” performer used her acceptance speech to advocate for change in the music industry.

“I told myself, if I ever won a Grammy and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels in the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists,” said the “Good Luck, Babe!” hitmaker onstage, after also being nominated for six awards including record of the year and album of the year.

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Chappell Roan in February 2025.Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty

Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty

Roan added, “Because I got signed so young, I got signed as a minor, and when I got dropped, I had zero job experience under my belt and like most people, I had a difficult time finding a job in a pandemic and could not afford health insurance.”

“Labels, we got you, but do you got us?” she concluded.

source: people.com