Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan have had a year of remarkable transformation, each emerging as defining forces in pop music. Though both artists have been in the industry for years, their recent successes have catapulted them to cultural prominence.
Each has earned six Grammy nominations, with both making history as the only artists nominated in the “Big Four” categories: Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year. Their dominance of the airwaves, viral performances, and cultural conversations in 2024 is a testament to how far they’ve come from their earlier positions in pop’s “middle class.”
The year began with both serving as tour openers. Chappell Roan, who toured with Olivia Rodrigo’s “Guts World Tour” from February to April 2024, became known for her electrifying festival performances and rapidly growing fanbase. Sabrina Carpenter, meanwhile, opened for Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” in late 2023 and early 2024 before embarking on her own sold-out arena tour to promote her No. 1 album.
At 26, Roan made her mark in the industry with her 2017 EP, but it wasn’t until the release of The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess in September 2023 that her popularity exploded. Roan’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert in March showcased her theatrical performances and unique style, which captured attention and helped boost her profile. Between February and April 2024, her Spotify monthly listeners surged by over 500%, thanks to viral festival performances and appearances on major platforms like the MTV Video Music Awards and Saturday Night Live. Her outspokenness, whether standing up for her beliefs or prioritizing her mental health, has earned her both praise and criticism, but it hasn’t slowed her rise.
Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter, 25, transitioned from her Disney Channel roots to a successful solo career. After facing backlash in 2021 when rumors swirled about her involvement in a love triangle that allegedly inspired Olivia Rodrigo’s hit “Drivers License,” Carpenter reinvented herself with Emails I Can’t Send in 2022. That album produced hits like “Nonsense” and “Feather,” which built popularity over time. Carpenter’s 2023 tour opening for Swift was a pivotal moment, with her playful performances and viral moments, like remixing the outro of “Nonsense” with jokes about each city she visited. Her daring “Feather” music video stirred some controversy, but she shrugged it off with humor, saying, “Jesus Was a Carpenter.”
In 2024, Carpenter released Short n’ Sweet and kicked off a tour that has become a social media sensation, thanks to her infectious showmanship and eye-catching set design. A viral performance on SNL and a No. 1 hit with “Please Please Please,” featuring her boyfriend Barry Keoghan, further solidified her place in pop stardom. Over the course of the year, her Spotify listeners grew by 120%, reflecting her growing influence.
Both Roan and Carpenter have skyrocketed from opening acts to superstardom, and with their Grammy nominations, it’s clear that their success is only just beginning. As they continue to shape the pop landscape, their recognition from the Recording Academy proves that their hot streak shows no signs of slowing down.
