The Myth of Queer Pop Pioneers

Sporting striking, bright red hair and bold, drag-inspired makeup, Chappell Roan has risen to meteoric fame over the past year, celebrated as a trailblazer in queer female pop music. At her Coachella performance in April, she confidently introduced herself as “Your favourite artist’s favourite artist” — a line that quickly circulated online, even influencing Google’s algorithm. For a time, searching her name prompted a “Did you mean: Your Favourite Artist’s Favourite Artist” suggestion — a curious touch, hinting at the various ways in which the internet influences our experiences.

The speed at which the internet elevates artists like Roan to pioneering status is impressive, but it is also worth pausing on. While hits like ‘Good Luck Babe’ and ‘Red Wine Supernova’ have indeed brought fresh visibility to queer and drag culture in music, the label of ‘pioneer’ can flatten a much deeper history. Queer pop artists have long laid the groundwork, and this simplification risks erasing the layers of cultural movements that have paved the way for artists today. Roan’s contributions are bold and exciting, but we should remember that her success is part of an ongoing story — one with roots that deserve just as much recognition.  

When I mentioned to my friend that I was writing this article, she immediately asked, exasperated, “What about Lady Gaga?” That reaction alone reflects how each of us has our own idea of the ‘original’ pioneer. For many queer individuals, these ‘Lady Gaga moments’ — when a particular artist, book, or movie suddenly makes everything click into place — are pivotal. Figures like Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Elton John have played crucial roles in bringing queer identity to the forefront of pop culture. They pushed boundaries, not only in music, but also representation, laying a foundation of visibility and acceptance for LGBTQ+ identities in mainstream media. Gaga’s unapologetic self-expression, Madonna’s fearless embrace of sexuality, and Elton John’s flamboyant charisma were groundbreaking during their respective eras, helping queer themes move from the shadows to the spotlight. I remember my own ‘Lady Gaga moment’ vividly: I was eleven years old, watching Hayley Kiyoko’s ‘Girls Like Girls’ music video for the first time. Back then, I didn’t know the full extent of that ‘click’, but it certainly gave me some food for thought. 

Moments like this highlight why it’s important not to oversimplify the idea of pioneers. Each generation has figures who push boundaries, expanding the way we see ourselves and the world. Icons like Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Elton John played pivotal roles, especially in a time when LGBTQ+ visibility was rare. But, Kiyoko’s message connects in a new way with my generation, just as artists like Kehlani bring fresh perspectives that continue this journey. They’re building on the work of those who came before while also introducing a new level of depth and relatability. 

This leads to a broader conversation about why we crave new icons in popular culture: we are feeding a wider cultural desire for novelty. We’re constantly searching for fresh voices that resonate with our experiences. However, it’s important to understand that visibility alone does not define someone as a pioneer. By labelling just one artist or moment as ‘pioneering,’ we risk overlooking the ongoing, layered progress made by many voices. Pioneers don’t stand alone — they’re part of a long line of artists, each widening the path for the next. My experience with ‘Girls Like Girls’ was possible because of decades of courage from artists who paved the way for voices like Kiyoko’s. Understanding this gives us a greater appreciation for the richness and continuity of representation, showing that every artist plays a part in progressing us forward. 

Image from Wikimedia Commons