The singer was moved by the recreation of Queen’s iconic Live Aid performance

Rising pop star Chappell Roan owes a lot Freddie Mercurymore accurate Rami Malekhis performance as the lead singer of Queen in the 2018 biopic Bohemian rhapsody.

At the Grammy Museum on Thursday, November 7, the night before the Grammy nominee list is announced, Roan sat down for a conversation with songwriter Daniel Nigro moderated by Brandi Carlile.

In the extended conversation, Roan said Bohemian rhapsody helped inspire her “hardcore” “into pop” transition. “That scene, whenever they play Live Aid and they play ‘Radio Ga Ga’ and they do that part, (beating)? That changed my career. It changed my career and I said, ‘I’ll do whatever it takes.’ “

The scene Roan, 26, refers to Queen’s iconic 1985 Live Aid performance, in which Mercury leads the crowd in synchronized applause.

Related: Saoirse Ronan Tried ‘Playing It Really Cool’ When Chappell Roan Told Her They’re ‘Celebrity Lookalikes’

Carlile asked if Roan had connected his movie freak, to which he replied, “I haven’t been there yet.”

“I think it was like I would do anything to feel that way in a crowd. I thought to myself, “How can I make something that I can look at and have everyone do the same thing this way?” It was so powerful to be, to all be doing the same move,” she explained.

Roan’s staple “HOT TO GO!” does something similar, with audience members saying the song’s title in the same vein as The Village People’s “YMCA.” Nigro also showed “Femininomenon,” which has a call and response in the bridge.

“You started playing shows, then you saw how people reacted to it,” Nigro said. “I think it was also a moment where, oh, we can push even further.”

The “Pink Pony Club” singer agreed, saying, “It’s like I knew all along that I just wanted to write songs that would be amazing live to interact with the audience.”

Related: Chappell Roan’s Burlesque SNL Look Took ‘500 Hours’ To Make — And Was Intended For A Different Performance (Exclusive)

She also credited the success The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess to her acclaimed live performances.

“I really think that’s why this project just caught fire this year, because it was my year playing live, like every festival, on so many tours,” Roan said. “We did 83 shows this year. It’s not a joke. I think that’s why it’s like these songs were never meant to be, I don’t know, just tucked away on an album somewhere.”

On Friday, November 8, Roan received nominations at Grammy Awards 2025 for record of the year (“Good Luck Babe!”), album of the year (The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess), best new artist, best pop solo performance (“Good Luck, Babe!”) and best pop vocal album.