Chappell Roan sparks complaints after announcing she canceled concerts to rehearse for the VMAs

Chappell Roan fans are upset after the singer revealed she was in rehearsals for next week's MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on the day she was scheduled to perform a now-canceled show in Paris.

The 26-year-old “Pink Pony Club” singer caused a lot of protest last week after she canceled two upcoming performances at short notice, blaming “scheduling conflicts.”

Rumors soon began to circulate that she had decided to cancel the performances in order to rehearse for the VMAs, which will be held in New York on September 11. This was confirmed when she posted a story on her Instagram profile on Tuesday (September 3) with the caption: “I'm in rehearsals for the @vmas, guys.”

Fans complained on social media, with one writing on X/Twitter: “She had to make sure the European fans who bought tickets for her tour before she was even famous knew she was ditching them for an awards show appearance she wouldn't have had the opportunity to do without them.”

On Instagram, another wrote: “I just find it so embarrassing that you think you can disrespect your fans who spent money on accommodation and transportation to see your show just because Little Miss Ma'am wanted to sing at the VMAs? Do better than that!”

Last Thursday (August 29), Roan announced on social media: “Due to scheduling conflicts, I have had to make the extremely difficult decision to cancel my shows in Paris and Amsterdam.

“I have postponed my show in Berlin to September 23rd. I am so sorry and very disappointed 🙁 I promise I will come back. It breaks my heart. Thank you for your understanding.”

She was supposed to perform on August 31 at the Columbiahalle in Berlin, on September 3 at the Bataclan in Paris and on September 4 at the Melkweg in Amsterdam.

In a follow-up post, Roan added: “Paris and Amsterdam ticket holders – refunds will be processed through the point of purchase. Berlin, your tickets will be automatically transferred to the new date.”

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Several fans expressed their disappointment on social media at the time that the shows were cancelled or postponed so close to the event.

One said: “I love Chappell, but canceling a show five days before due to 'scheduling conflicts' when the rumor had been going around for weeks kind of sucks.”

Another wrote: “Thank you Chappell for announcing the cancellation of your shows five days before they were due to start. This means I won't get my money back for my bus to Paris because I could only cancel it until seven days before my trip.”

Some considered the reasoning to be insincere. One arguing: “Oh, 'scheduling conflicts' are always a nice way of saying, 'We've found something more interesting for my career than a small European show.'”

Other fans chimed in, arguing that artists should be expected to stick to their announced tour dates. One wrote: “(I want to preface: not specifically about Chappell, but a broader conversation) I will never understand why you keep canceling shows because of 'scheduling conflicts.' Your show was scheduled first and your fans took time off work, organized transportation, hotels, etc. Maybe you should stick to your schedule, I don't know.”

The Independent has reached out to Roan's representative for comment.

Roan rose to international fame last year thanks to the success of her critically acclaimed debut album. The rise and fall of a Midwestern princess, as well as a tour in support of pop singer Olivia Rodrigo.

Her sudden fame also seems to have its downsides: earlier this week, the star released a statement explaining why she needs to “draw boundaries and set limits” when dealing with her fans.