Folk-pop sensation Noah Kahan is speaking out against the aggressive behavior of autograph seekers, labeling them “parasitic” following a viral incident involving Chappell Roan in Paris.
In a series of Instagram Stories shared on Tuesday, the “Stick Season” singer-songwriter rushed to defend Roan after footage surfaced of her confronting a crowd in the French capital. Sharing a report of the encounter—where Roan was seen telling a swarm of followers to “get away”—Kahan succinctly noted, “Maybe they should just, I don’t know, leave her alone?”
He didn’t stop there, taking aim at the individuals who shadow artists under the guise of fandom. “Those guys claiming to be ‘huge fans’ while stalking her are actually scalpers and are just as toxic as the paparazzi,” Kahan wrote. “F—k them all.”
Kahan later posted a video to further articulate the distinction between genuine supporters and professional resellers. He explained that these individuals often track flight details and hotel locations for the sole purpose of cornering artists and their families. “They aren’t fans,” he clarified. “They wait outside venues and hotels specifically to guilt-trip you into signing items that they intend to sell for a profit.”
He also warned his audience about the manipulative nature of the viral clips often recorded during these exchanges. “They trick people watching at home into thinking an artist is being rude to a fan, when in reality, they are the ones being predatory and manipulative,” Kahan said. “They are scummy and parasitic. Do not feel sorry for them.”
Kahan’s comments come on the heels of Roan’s own public plea for boundaries. In a video recorded while she was in Paris, the Grammy-nominated artist showed herself being hounded while trying to grab dinner. “I’ve asked these people multiple times to leave me alone,” she told the camera as individuals continued to press her for photos. “All of you are completely disregarding my boundaries… No, I’m not signing. This is what it’s like.”
This isn’t the first time Kahan has rallied behind Roan for asserting herself. Last year, when Roan stood up to a photographer at the VMAs, Kahan recalled a harrowing experience where paparazzi harassed him in front of his mother. He praised Roan at the time for her refusal to be intimidated.
On the professional front, Kahan is gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated new album, The Great Divide, set to debut on April 24. The project’s lead single and title track has already made a significant impact, climbing to the top of the Alternative Airplay charts and reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
