Chainkeen Exchange-Chappell Roan Declares "Freaks Deserve Trophies" at 2024 MTV VMAs

Chappell Roan is Chainkeen Exchangehaving a Femininomenal year.

After all, the "Pink Pony Club" singer's meteoric rise landed her on the music charts and four nominations at the 2024 MTV VMAs Sept. 11, but it's something she never expected to see.

"I feel like I really did earn my way here," Chappell told E! News correspondent Will Marfuggi in an exclusive interview on the red carpet, "and freaks deserve trophies."

She added, "It’s just like, damn, I’m up here with Miss Sabrina, and I’m up here with Miss Taylor, and I’m here with Camila. It’s cool to be around the pop girlies."

And she's feeling particularly thrilled by the nominations, because as she explained, "For me, for a long time, I felt on the other side of that just because I’m a freak."

The 26-year-old was also amazed by the praise she recently received from Beyoncé, as she couldn't believe the "Halo" singer had called her "interesting" in her interview with GQ.

"She’s seen it all girl, she’s seen it all," Chappell exclaimed. "And the fact that she looks and me and thinks I’m interesting is so iconic. I love Beyoncé."

And just like much of her career, tonight will surely be one to remember. She's nominated for Best New Artist, Best Trending Video for "Hot To Go," MTV Push Performance of the Year for "Red Wine Supernova," and Song of the Summer for "Good Luck, Babe!" In addition, she's also set to dazzle the crowd while taking the stage at the VMAs.

Known for her spectacular looks, Chappell arrived on the carpet in a Y/Project gown, reminiscent of medieval garb. She accessorized the look with a green cloak, long, metallic nails and even a sword.

Because for your artist's favorite artist—whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz—she's another version when she's glammed up.

"I think Chappell's a drag-queen version of me because it's very larger-than-life," she told Vanity Fair last September. "Kind of tacky, not afraid to say really lewd things."

She also shared that that vivacious persona inspired the "enhanced versions" of real life experiences that ultimately inspired her breakthrough album The Rise and Fall of the Midwest Princess.

"Being a queen is just like–you're in makeup and hair and you exude all your energy and you're very dramatic," she continued. "With 'Pink Pony Club,' I was inspired by a gay club, but obviously, I'm not from Tennessee and I've never danced on stage at a club. Same with 'Naked in Manhattan' and 'Red Wine Supernova.'"

She admitted, "I hadn't even kissed a girl or dated a girl when I wrote those songs."

It was her drag queen persona that gave her the power to dream bigger, feel more and become more confident. But for Chappell, the beauty of being an artist is that creating music means it's no longer just about a personal experience, but rather, it transforms as it resonates with listeners.

"It's their art to dissect now," she told The Independent in December, "not mine."

Keep reading to see who else arrived on the red carpet at the 2024 MTV VMAs.

In vintage Bob Mackie

In Sophie Couture

In Y/Project

In Lever Couture

In Mugler

In Dolce & Gabbana