One of southwest Missouri’s own is becoming one of the biggest names in music, and Wednesday night she collected her greatest honor yet.
World-renowned pop artist Chappell Roan, born Kayleigh Amstutz, was raised in Willard and graduated from Willard High School before beginning her professional music journey.
At Wednesday night’s Video Music Awards, she won Best New Artist. Previous winners include Billie Eilish, One Direction, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Guns N’ Roses, and others who went on to enjoy great success.
In her speech, she gave thanks to the drag queens and other members of the LGBTQ+ community who are involved in the music industry and those who inspired her.
She also spoke specifically to LGBTQ+ children in the midwest, saying, “I see you, I understand you because I’m one of you. And don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t be exactly who you wanna be.
Roan is openly lesbian, and has been for several years.
