As Chappelle Rowan continues to grapple with her growing popularity, the singer has drawn a line between her public and private personas in her strongest statement to fans yet: “I feel more loved than I've ever been in my life. I feel more insecure than I've ever been in my life.”
After making similar statements about “scary” harassment, “crazy type of behavior,” and a “stalking atmosphere” in recent interviews and social media posts, Rowan explained the situation in her own words in a lengthy Instagram post Friday night.
“I turned off the comments because I’m not looking for a response from anyone. This is not a group chat. I understand that hearing this from someone in my position is upsetting. I’m not afraid of the consequences of demanding respect,” she said in response to the statement.
In the statement, Rawan wrote: “For the past 10 years, I have been working non-stop to build my business, and I have reached the point where I need to draw lines and set boundaries. I have wanted to be an artist for a very long time. I have been in so many unacceptable physical and social interactions, and I just need to clarify and remind you, women do not owe you anything.”
She continued: “I chose this career path because I love music and art and to honor my inner child, and I do not accept harassment in any form because I chose this path and I do not deserve it.”
Rowan then tried to define her public and private personas: “When I’m on stage, when I’m performing, when I’m wearing women’s clothes, when I’m at a work event, when I’m doing an interview… I’m at work. In any other situation, I’m not at work. I’m out of work.”
“I want to love my life, to be outside, to laugh with my friends, to go to the movies, to feel safe, to do all the things that every person deserves,” Rowan said. “Please stop touching me. Please stop being weird to my family and friends. Please stop assuming things about me. There’s always more to the story. I’m scared and tired.”
In a TikTok video earlier this week, the singer told fans: “I don’t care about abuse, harassment, stalking, or whatever it is that is considered normal for famous people or not-so-famous people, whatever it is,” she said. “I don’t care that it’s normal. I don’t care that this crazy type of behavior comes with the job, or the field of work that you chose, that doesn’t make it acceptable. That doesn’t make it normal. That doesn’t mean I want it. That doesn’t mean I like it.”
Rowan confirmed this sentiment as she concluded her statement on Friday, “There is a part of myself that I keep just for my project and for all of you. There is a part of myself that is just for me, and I don’t want it to be taken away from me.”
