The "Good Luck, Babe!" singer recently took to Instagram to voice her frustration over the unwelcome attention she's been receiving.
"For the past decade, I've been working tirelessly on my career, and it's time I set some boundaries," she shared on Friday. "I want to continue as an artist for a very long time, but I've endured too many unwanted physical and social interactions. Let me make this clear: women don't owe you anything. I chose this path because of my love for music, art, and honoring my inner child. That does not mean I have to tolerate harassment, nor do I deserve it."
Roan, whose real name is Kayleigh Amstutz, emphasized that she should only be "in work mode" when performing, giving interviews, or doing drag. "In any other situation, I'm off the clock," she continued. "I don't owe anyone my energy, time, or attention, especially those I don't know, don't trust, or who make me uncomfortable—just because they admire me. Women do not need to justify why they don't want to be touched or spoken to."
The "Femininomenon" artist made it clear that her message isn't about dismissing her supporters. "This has nothing to do with the gratitude and love I feel for those who respect my boundaries and support my work," she explained. "However, I must address the predatory behavior that many female artists, including myself, face from so-called 'superfans.' Please don't assume you know everything about someone just because you're familiar with their online persona."
Roan's fan base has grown significantly over the past year, especially following the release of her debut album, *The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,* last September. Since then, she's performed on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts, opened for Olivia Rodrigo on the Guts Tour, and played to increasingly larger crowds at major festivals, including what Lollapalooza organizers described as their biggest-ever daytime set earlier this month.
Despite her success, Roan has been candid about the challenges of her rapidly rising career, notably during a June concert in Raleigh, N.C. "I just want to be honest with you," she said on stage. "My career is moving so fast, and it's hard to keep up. I'm not trying to give you a lesser show, but it's a lot to handle. Thank you for understanding. This is all I've ever wanted, but it can feel overwhelming at times."
Roan also addressed critics who believe she should have anticipated the sacrifices of fame. "If you're wondering, 'Why pursue this career if you knew the challenges that come with success?'—let me clarify: I embrace my success, the love I receive, and the gratitude I feel," she said. "But I won't accept being harassed, touched, or followed."
She compared her situation to the experience of women who are targeted for what they wear. "It's like saying a woman shouldn't have worn a short skirt if she didn't want to be harassed," Roan wrote. "It's not the woman's responsibility to just endure it; it's the harasser's responsibility to respect her and leave her alone."
Roan also expressed sadness over the everyday activities she feels she can no longer enjoy. "I want to live my life, spend time outdoors, laugh with friends, go to the movies, and feel safe—just like everyone else deserves," she wrote. "Please stop touching me. Please stop being weird to my family and friends. Please stop making assumptions about me. There's always more to the story. I am scared and tired. And please, don't call me Kayleigh. I feel more love than ever before, but also more unsafe than I've ever felt."
She ended her post by emphasizing the need to protect her personal life. "There's a part of me that I share with all of you through my music, but there's also a part that's just for me, and I refuse to let that be taken away," she concluded.
Roan disabled comments on her post, stating that she wasn't looking for a conversation. "This isn't up for debate," she wrote. "I'm not afraid to demand respect. Every woman has felt or is feeling something similar to what I'm experiencing. This is not new. If my statement bothers you, take a moment to reflect on why it does. Why does a woman expressing her fears and setting boundaries make you so angry? That's something you need to address."
Earlier this week, Roan echoed these sentiments on TikTok, where she declared, "I don't care if you think it's selfish for me to refuse a photo. I have every right to say no to creepy behavior."