Grammys 2025: Chappell Roan Reveals the Meaning Behind Her Stage Name

At the 2025 Grammys, Chappell Roan faced off against Sabrina Carpenter, Shaboozey, Benson Boone, Teddy Swims, Raye, Doechii, and Khruangbin in the Best New Artist category.

Chappell Roan’s Big Grammy Win

Chappell Roan is starting her Grammys collection. The rising star took home the Best New Artist award at the 2025 ceremony, beating out strong competitors including Sabrina Carpenter, Shaboozey, Doechii, Benson Boone, Teddy Swims, Raye, and Khruangbin. (Click here for a complete list of winners.)

While taking the stage at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, during the Trevor Noah-hosted ceremony, the “Pink Pony Club” singer explained the meaning behind her stage name.

The Emotional Meaning Behind Her Name

“Thank you to my fellow nominees, whose music got me through this past year,” Chappell Roan (real name Kayleigh Amstutz) began, before giving heartfelt shoutouts to “my friends and my family, and—above all—my poppa Chappell, who I named myself after.”

Indeed, Chappell’s stage name is a touching tribute to her late grandfather, Dennis K. Chappell, who passed away in 2016 after battling brain cancer. The second part of her onstage persona, “Roan,” was inspired by the Curley Fletcher song “The Strawberry Roan,” a favorite of her beloved grandfather.

A Breakout Year for Best New Artist Nominees

Win or lose, it’s been an incredible year for all the nominees in the Best New Artist category.

Take Chappell Roan, for example—her hit single “Good Luck, Babe!” topped the Best Songs of 2024 lists for Rolling Stone, NME, and The Guardian. She also secured Top New Artist at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards and Best New Artist at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.

Similarly, Sabrina Carpenter dominated 2024, taking home the Song of the Year award at the MTV VMAs for her smash hit “Espresso.” She also launched her highly successful Short n’ Sweet Tour, which resumes in Europe next month.

As for Shaboozey, he scored two collaborations on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter.” Reflecting on the experience, he told E! News, “Working with her, I’ve learned so much.“

Speaking of powerhouse collaborations, Doechii joined forces with Katy Perry on the pop superstar’s track “I’m His, He’s Mine” from 143.

“It’s not hard for me to genre bend—I’m a chameleon when it comes to music,” Doechii told Buzzfeed in October. “If it’s a song that resonates with me, I just have to naturally lay it down. So I have no problem being in that space.”

With such a talented and diverse lineup in the Best New Artist category, this year’s Grammy Awards proved to be an exciting moment for music fans worldwide.