Chappell Roan is the latest artist to use their platform to highlight income inequality and wealth disparity.
For her years of activism, the Grammy-winning singer was honored with the Harmonizer Award on Tuesday, January 27, and she used the opportunity to encourage wealthy artists to give back.
“I get sick of being told I’m a good person,” Roan began in his acceptance speech. “I think it has to do with some kind of Christian guilt or something, but it’s cool when people you really look up to think you’re a good person or that you’re doing good things.”
The Hot to Go hitmaker went on to credit the people around her for shaping her activism for those who “need representation and money for health care and rent.”
Roan, 27, then shared his blunt thoughts on wealth, saying: “I think it’s just an artist’s — and anybody’s got money — it’s kind of your duty to give it away. I don’t really know what’s more in harmony than giving.”
Roan’s message echoes fellow musician Billie Eilish’s famous speech at the 2025 WSJ Innovator Awards in November, where she called out billionaires who accumulated wealth and didn’t give their money away.
“Love you all, but there are a few people in here who have a lot more money than me. If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? Don’t hate, but give your money away, shorties,” the 24-year-old told the crowd, which included Mark Zuckerberg.
