Chappell Roan Delivers Queer Country Clown Fantasia With ‘Pink Pony Club’ at the Grammys
Chappell Roan – who received six nominations at the 2025 Grammy Awards – hit the stage on Sunday (Feb. 2) night to perform “Pink Pony Club,” one of the most memorable, impactful songs from her smash album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.
Fittingly, Roan started the performance on a giant pink pony, eventually hopping off the horse to belt out the queer discovery anthem surrounded by rodeo clowns executing country & western-styled choreo, waving hankies around and running in place. When she got to the full-throated pre-chorus, much of the audience — Janelle Monae in particular — sang along with gusto. The entire thing was a kooky, kitschy queer fantasia – exactly the kind of off-kilter delight we’ve come to expect from Roan. “My Little Pony grew up,” Noah quipped after the performance.
“’Pink Pony Club’ is my love letter to L.A.,” Roan said of the song in a pre-taped segment, noting that the city “gave me the courage to be myself.” “Pink Pony Club” is reportedly inspired by her time at the legendary WeHo gay bar The Abbey.
Roan’s performance of the Billboard Hot 100 hit (No. 26 peak) was far from her only tribute to LGBTQ lives at the Grammys. While walking the red carpet at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, Roan took a moment to speak out in support for trans rights, which are under attack under the administration of President Trump.
“Trans people have always existed and they will forever exist. They will never, no matter what happens, take trans joy away,” Roan said. “I would not be here without trans girls. Just know that pop music is thinking about you and cares about you. I’m trying my best to stand up for you.”
Joe Lynch
Billboard
