Chappell Roan's Fiery Grammys Speech Sparks SAG-AFTRA Response

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Chappell Roan’s speech at the 2025 Grammy Awards has caused a lot of talk about how the music industry treats new artists. Her words made people think about the way artists are paid and the support they get. SAG-AFTRA, a group that helps protect workers, also shared their thoughts on her speech.

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When Roan won the Best New Artist award, she talked about the hard times she faced after being suddenly dropped by Atlantic Records in 2020. She said that record labels should pay artists enough money to live on and give them healthcare. She also pointed out how much money labels make from artists but don’t always support them properly, especially new artists who are still starting their careers.

Roan spoke out, saying, "I would demand that labels and the industry, profiting millions of dollars off of artists, offer a livable wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists." Many artists, like Halsey, agreed with her and supported her views.

SAG-AFTRA’s national director, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, talked about Roan’s speech in an interview. He called her words brave and said that artists’ passion for their music can sometimes make it easy for them to be taken advantage of. He explained that unions, like SAG-AFTRA, are important because they help protect artists from being treated unfairly.

Crabtree-Ireland also explained that many new artists sign contracts with small, non-union labels that do not offer things like healthcare or savings plans. While bigger record labels do have union contracts with these benefits, many smaller labels do not, leaving many artists without the support they need.

While some people criticize major labels, Crabtree-Ireland said it’s important to remember that they do offer benefits through union contracts, which smaller labels don’t have to do.

Roan’s speech has brought up concerns about how artists in the music world often don’t make enough money, even if they are successful. Many artists, even Grammy winners, don’t always live like superstars. Crabtree-Ireland supports Roan and is excited to work with her to help raise awareness and push for better protections and changes in the music industry, so artists get the fair treatment they deserve.