At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Chappell Roan used her Best New Artist win to advocate for fair treatment of developing artists. Speaking at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, she addressed record labels and industry executives, demanding better financial and healthcare support for emerging musicians.
Roan Demands Livable Wages and Healthcare for Artists As she accepted her first Grammy, Roan seized the moment to highlight the industry’s shortcomings. “I promised myself that if I ever won a Grammy and had the chance to stand before the most powerful figures in music, I would demand that record labels and industry leaders—who profit millions from artists—provide a livable wage and healthcare, especially for developing musicians,” she declared, earning a standing ovation. Roan reflected on her early career struggles, sharing how she was signed as a minor but later dropped from her label.
“I had no job experience when that happened. Like many others, I struggled to find work during the pandemic and couldn’t afford health insurance,” she revealed. The singer described the emotional toll of feeling abandoned by the system.
“I was fully committed to my art, yet I felt betrayed. It was dehumanizing to realize I didn’t even have access to healthcare,” she said. A Call for Industry Change Roan emphasized the responsibility of record labels to support their artists.
“If my label had prioritized artist well-being, they could have provided care while I dedicated everythi.