- Roan, 26, signed with Atlantic Records before being dropped
- The label did not believe in her song Pink Pony Club, which later became a hit
- READ MORE: A look at Chappell Roan’s biggest moans
Chappell Roan is one of the biggest names in the music industry right now, but her rise to fame was nearly thwarted by record label executives who failed to see her potential.
In one piece for the New York TimesRoan’s producer and co-writer Dan Nigro told how the 26-year-old Pink Pony Club’s breakthrough hit was originally rejected by Atlantic Records.
According to Nigro, 42, label executives were “not impressed” when they first heard the tune.
“I was convinced the song was incredible, but then they told me it wasn’t,” he said.
The label suggested cutting the song’s guitar solos – played by Dave Stewart’s son Sam – but Nigro refused.
Chappell Roan was originally dropped by Atlantic Records before becoming a major pop superstar
Pink Pony Club was eventually released by Atlantic, but it flopped and led to Roan being dropped by the label.
Refusing to give up on Roan’s talent, Nigro subsequently launched his own independent label called Amusement Records and reunited with the singer to push her music further.
Pink Pony Club was re-released in 2023 and quickly began climbing the charts, becoming Roan’s breakthrough hit.
She followed it up with hits like Hot to Go and Good Luck Babe, and her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess – released on Nigro’s Amusement Records – peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
“Dan always believed in me,” Roan told the New York Times.
‘He has been there from the beginning and has made me realize what makes me feel good to perform, what makes me feel good to sing, to write about.’
The duo are now working on Roan’s second album and have already completed five songs for the project.
Their new songs include a country song that sounds like “a new version of Chappell” and “a few ballads and a mid-tempo rock song.”
Roan’s producer and co-writer Dan Nigro told how the 26-year-old Pink Pony Club’s breakthrough hit was originally rejected by Atlantic Records
Refusing to give up on Roan’s talent, Nigro subsequently launched his own independent label called Amusement Records and reunited with the singer to push her music further.
Roan recently opened up about her struggles with fame and has even threatened to quit the industry due to unwanted attention.
The star, who attends therapy sessions twice a week to cope with her newfound celebrity status, recently admitted that her depression diagnosis came as a shock because she doesn’t really feel “sad.”
She told The Guardian: ‘I’m in therapy twice a week.
‘I went to a psychiatrist last week because I thought, ‘I don’t know what’s going on.’
‘She diagnosed me with severe depression – which I didn’t think I had because I’m not really sad. But I have all the symptoms of someone who is severely depressed.”
Roan is now working on her second album and has already completed five songs for the project
Roan revealed that her symptoms include brain fog, forgetfulness and poor focus, as well as “a very lackluster outlook.”
She added: “I think it’s because my whole life has changed. Everything I really enjoy doing now comes with baggage.
‘If I want to start saving, I have to book security and prepare myself that this is not going to be normal.
‘Going to the park, pilates, yoga – how do I do that safely, without being stalked or harassed?’