Chappell Roan says revealing Grammys outfit wasn’t ‘that outrageous’

Chappell Roan has laughed off the reaction to the revealing outfit she wore on the Grammy Awards red carpet on Sunday.

The US pop star removed her red chiffon cape on the red carpet to reveal a matching draped dress hung from nipple rings, leaving virtually all of her top half exposed.

The Mugler ensemble was one of the most talked-about outfits at this year’s ceremony.

“Giggling because I don’t even think this is THAT outrageous of an outfit,” the star posted on Instagram. “The look’s actually so awesome and weird. I recommend just exercising your free will it’s really fun and silly :D.”

She added: “Thank you for having me @grammys and those who voted for me!!”

Some fans praised Roan’s style, describing her as “a goddess” and “an icon” in response to her own Insta post.

Referencing Justin Bieber’s performance on Sunday wearing just boxer shorts, one wrote: “If Justin can perform in his underwear without anyone batting an eyelid, you can rock pierced pasties diva. Misogyny.”

Nipple pasties are prosthetic nipple covers, which provide both protection and coverage.

Others found her outfit was not to their taste, however.

Responding to Billboard’s video of Roan on the red carpet, one post read: “I love her but this is too much. Is she gonna get banned?”, while another responded: “I don’t know what people have against wearing clothes.”

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, fashion writer and stylist Alex Fullerton said: “What this label (Mugler) has done consistently since the 80s has worked a lot with transparency, bare breasts, so she’s honouring the legacy of the designer.

“But at the end of the day… she’s got them out!”

Roan was nominated for two Grammys on Sunday – record of the year and best pop solo performance, both for The Subway, but she came away empty-handed.

Known for her individual style and hits including Pink Pony Club, Hot to Go and Good Luck, Babe!, Chappell is actually the alter-ego of the more reticent Kayleigh Amstutz.

In an interview with the BBC’s Mark Savage in 2024, she described Chappell as a “larger-than-life, drag queen version of myself”, who allows her to be rebellious and risqué.

“I couldn’t be Chappell all the time,” she admitted. “I’d be absolutely exhausted.”

Her latest outfit continues the trend of celebrities wearing sheer and revealing looks on red carpets and at award ceremonies.

Charli XCX wore a see-through black dress at last year’s Brit Awards, and addressed the controversy over her outfit during one of her speeches on the night. “I heard that ITV were complaining about my nipples. I feel like we’re in the era of ‘free the nipple’ though, right?” she said.

Kanye West’s wife, Bianca Censori, arrived at last year’s Grammys wearing a sheer body stocking that left little to the imagination.