Chappell Roan explains why she yelled at VMAs photographer on red carpet

‘I think for someone who gets a lot of anxiety around people yelling at you … the carpet is horrifying,’ Roan said

Chappell Roan has explained why she snapped at a photographer on the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards.

On Wednesday, September 11, a photographer was overheard saying “Shut the f*** up”, which prompted the “Hot to Go!” singer – whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz – to respond to the statement by repeating the phrase back to them as she said, “You shut the f*** up. No, not me, b***h.”

However, when later speaking to Entertainment Tonight on the carpet she revealed what caused her reaction. “This is quite overwhelming and quite scary,” she said. “I think for someone who gets a lot of anxiety around people yelling at you … the carpet is horrifying, and I yelled back. You don’t get to yell at me like that.”

The clip was later posted on X (formerly Twitter) with people leaving comments that her response was justified.

“People need to understand that she’s nervous,” one comment began. “It’s her first award show event that’s broadcasted. You don’t know how you’re going to react on the black carpet or what to say in case you win unless you’ve written a speech of course. People need to just leave the poor girl alone and let her enjoy every moment of this night.”

Another commenter agreed, writing, “As she should cause why is he yelling shut the f*** up at a red carpeted like that.”

However, other commenters were questioning whether or not Roan should have attended the show at all if that type of environment would be affecting her that much.

“I think she just needs to stay home, I don’t think she can handle society,” one person wrote in the comments with another person agreeing, writing, “This is so dumb. If you can’t handle it don’t go. Otherwise don’t complain about the yelling. The privilege and entitlement here is outrageous.”

Since the “Good Luck, Babe!” singer’s rise to fame after her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, she has been clear about setting various boundaries, especially with her fans.

Earlier this month she turned to TikTok to let fans know that she had a right to decline photos with them and that they were not owed them because of her status as a celebrity.

“I don’t care that abuse and harassment, stalking, whatever, is a normal thing to do to people who are famous or a little famous,” she said in one video.

“I don’t care that it’s normal. I don’t care that this crazy type of behavior comes along with the job, [or] the career field I’ve chosen. That does not make it okay. That doesn’t make it normal. That doesn’t mean I want it. Doesn’t mean that I like it.”

The “Pink Pony Club” singer continued: “I don’t want whatever the f*** you think you’re supposed to be entitled to whenever you see a celebrity. I don’t give a f*** if you think it’s selfish of me to say no for a photo or for your time, or for a hug.”

“That’s not normal. That’s weird. It’s weird how people think that you know a person just because you see them online and you listen to the art they make. That’s f***ing weird. I’m allowed to say no to creepy behavior,” the video ended.

Roan captioned the video, “Do not assume this is directed at someone or a specific encounter. This is just my side of the story and my feelings.”