Days before the 2025 Grammys, Chappell Roan teased on Instagram how much she loves the performance she was preparing for the show. Tonight, we saw why. Roan delivered a big, bold rendition of “Pink Pony Club” at the ceremony, blowing away viewers seated in the crowd and at home.
She had a theatrical set, dancers dressed as clowns, and a giant pink pony, of course, as she took over the stage. In a clip that aired ahead of the performance, Roan said that “Pink Pony Club” is her love letter to L.A., because it’s the place that made her feel free to be herself.
Audience members, including Janelle Monáe, Kelsea Ballerini, and Alicia Keys, were enraptured and sang along.
Fans immediately shared footage on social media as Roan sang:
This is Roan’s first time performing at—and attending—the Grammys. The star has nominations in the show’s four biggest categories: Record of the Year (“Good Luck, Babe!”), Album of the Year (The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess), Song of the Year (“Good Luck, Babe!”), and Best New Artist. She is also up for Best Pop Solo Performance (“Good Luck, Babe!”) and Best Pop Vocal Album (The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess).
On Instagram, Roan wrote about who she was thinking of while singing: “Girl, no matter what, just know when I’m up on stage, all I’m really feeling in my heart is love to the queer community, especially those in places where it is unsafe to be yourself. I see you.”
Roan spoke about being inspired by drag queens when crafting her performance persona in a January 19 interview with BBC. “A drag queen does not get onstage to calm people down,” she said. “A drag queen does not say things to flatter people. A queen makes you blush, you know what I mean? Expect the same energy at my show.”
