Chappell Roan says she'd be more successful if she 'wore a muzzle'

Chappell Roan has already become a phenomenon. And yet.

"I think, actually, I'd be more successful if I was okay wearing a muzzle," Roan told the BBC with a laugh, in an interview published Sunday. "If I were to override more of my basic instincts, where my heart is going, 'Stop, stop, stop, you're not okay,' I would be bigger. I would be way bigger... And I would still be on tour right now."

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The 26-year-old, whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, is already pretty freakin' huge, in large part due to her (happily) inescapable 2024 single "Good Luck, Babe!" Her performances at Coachella and at the MTV VMAs, where she also notched a win for Best New Artist, plus her six nominations at next month's Grammys, have cemented her status as musician of the moment.

No less than Elton John honored her as one of EW's 2024 Entertainers of the Year.

"It's not every day that you encounter an artist who possesses the rare combination of raw talent, fearless creativity, and an unwavering dedication," the "Rocket Man" artist wrote. "Chappell Roan is one such artist — a true star whose talent has captivated listeners all over the world. What sets Chappell apart is her courage to be herself in every sense: her honesty, her individuality, and her commitment to creating meaningful music. She shines as a beacon of originality and self-expression."

Amid all her success, she's called out photographers for being rude and fans for being "creepy," which is not typical celebrity behavior. She also decided against extending last year's tour for her physical and mental health.

The words of her late grandfather helped her make the choice.

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"There's something he said that I think about in every move I make with my career. There are always options," Roan told the U.K. outlet. "So when someone says, 'Do this concert because you'll never get offered that much money ever again', it's like, who cares?"

She added, "If I don't feel like doing this right now, there are always options. There is not a scarcity of opportunity. I think about that all the time."

Related: Chappell Roan reveals Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody inspired 'Hot to Go!'

In fact, Roan dropped out of the All Things Go Festival last September, citing a need to take care of herself.

"Things have gotten overwhelming over the past few weeks and I am really feeling it," she said on social media. I feel pressures to prioritize a lot of things right now and I need a few days to prioritize my health. I want to be present when I perform and give the best shows possible. Thank you for understanding."

In the new interview, Roan revealed that her biggest hit almost had another name.

"I don't even know if I've ever said this in an interview, but it was originally called 'Good Luck, Jane,'" Roan said. "I wanted it to be about me falling in love with my best friend, and then her being like, 'Ha ha ha, I don't like you back, I like boys.' And it was like, 'Okay, well, good luck with that, Jane.'"

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