Written by Alivia Stonier
On October 23rd of 2025, popular music icon Chappell Roan, known for her tracks like “Hot to Go” and “Pink Pony Club,” launched The Midwest Princess Project, a nonprofit organization that supports trans youth and the LGBTQ+ community.
The project was able to have a successful start as the artist began by operating via funds that she had been able to raise during her Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things pop‑up shows.
In more recent years, especially since the release of her record The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess in 2023, the artist promoted and cultivated a safe space for the queer community. Across all of her tour stops, the Chappell has had local drag queens from each area perform as the opener before she took to the stage.
Between this and cultivating a message in her music about accepting her identity as a sapphic woman who grew up in the South surrounded by views that opposed her existence, the artist was able to resonate with many members of the community who do not feel seen or represented in their communities.
According to her website, “The project aims to uplift trans youth and broader LGBTQ+ communities through action, care, and connection.” Thankfully, it has been able to do exactly that.
The artist allocated one dollar from every ticket during her pop-up shows; as a result, the charity project has already amassed an amount of $400,000 that has been able to be raised on behalf of the trans and LGBTQ+ community.
Funds are designated for established organizations that deliver direct services and resources, including The Ali Forney Center based in New York, The LGBT Center in New York City, Trans Wellness Center and TransLatin@ Coalition located in Los Angeles, as well as The GLO Center and The Center Project based in Missouri.
The support does not stop there, with the artist also engaging in other initiatives across 2025 and the course of her career. One of the most notable being a $25,000 donation to Backline. an initiative in support of mental health for musicians and members of the industry.
This donation comes after Roan discussed her struggles with fame and the demands that can carry along with this level of visibility. Due to pressure and stress that can come along with the spotlight, Roan has cancelled a number of touring shows to prioritize her well-being and has publicly taken to social media to set boundaries when it comes to interacting with her on a public level.
After she won Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards, Roan used her acceptance speech to call on the music industry for better support, stating, “If I ever won a Grammy and got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels… offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists.”
A conversation among artists and music industry insiders was sparked following the speech, even including some pushback on Roan’s statements.. A discussion was raised about if some of the public boundaries being pushed are what come with the job of being in the public eye, including talking to fans in public and taking pictures.
Many also got upset with Roan after she talked about the pressures of motherhood when someone is in their early 20s, stating that many young mothers seem miserable and it is not something that she has felt compelled to pursue.
It is clear that the artist is not afraid to use her voice and be unapologetically herself when it comes to expressing her opinions. Especially as somebody that grew up surrounded by opposing ideology and later made her own way out of that space.
Women in the current social media world are put under a microscope, especially when you are a rising star.
Despite these setbacks, it is clear that the artist is using her platform for good and giving back to the very community that she has not only been able to represent but also given a place to celebrate. The musician has still continued to be a voice for sapphic representation, as she has continued to put out a single this year.
Her shows are an extension of the very initiatives that she uplifts, not only donating money that comes from these spaces but also being able to make them a room for play. From themed outfits and different ideas to bring the community together to dances that they can share, it is truly a moment, especially in this difficult political landscape, where the community can come together and truly feel joy for one another.
The advocacy that Roan pushes has also extended into the political space, as she has encouraged voter registration and spread her messages not only across social media but also across the country through her performances.
The nonprofit has an open donation platform available via GiveButter, where anyone can donate, including you today.
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