Hollywood celebrities used to be all about perfection. Studios obsessed over every detail to keep their images spotless, from their red carpet looks to the way they acted in public. Back then, fans saw celebrities as distant icons, almost like they were too perfect to be real.

But today’s audience wants something different—they want honesty, realness, and a little bit of imperfection. Just look at Chappell Roan. She’s breaking through by being her true self, and people love her for it. Her rise this past summer shows that fans connect more with real, unfiltered personalities. For brands, there’s a big lesson here: showing your real side can grab attention and build strong connections with your audience.

Here are three lessons from "your favorite artist's favorite artist:"

1. Be bold

Chappell Roan totally embraces who she is, from her bold drag-inspired looks to the way she openly celebrates queerness in her music and style. She isn’t trying to fit in—she stands out by being herself. Brands can learn from this by focusing on what makes them different instead of trying to please everyone. When you show who you really are instead of playing it safe, you’ll start drawing people into your world.

2. Be vulnerable

Roan isn’t afraid to reveal the vulnerable side of her life. She often shares the challenges she faced in her career, from struggling to get noticed in a crowded industry to moments of self-doubt. Her openness makes her relatable and builds a strong connection with her fans, who see her as someone real and accessible. For brands, this could mean sharing the “behind the scenes” stories—the ups and the downs—that give your audience a window into the real people behind your brand. Vulnerability doesn’t show weakness; it shows authenticity and builds trust.

3. Be imperfect

In an industry where perfection is often the goal, Roan embraces imperfection. Her Instagram posts show her in casual, unfiltered settings, with captions that are often humorous or self-deprecating. She faced criticism for last-minute show cancellations due to feeling overwhelmed and prioritizing her mental health, but she didn’t hide it. By sharing her unpolished side, Roan becomes even more relatable. Brands can learn from this: let go of the overly polished, curated look and show your human side. Whether it’s an unscripted story or admission of a mistake, it’s often the imperfect sides of us that people truly connect with.

What this means for marketing leaders

Chappell Roan’s rapid rise shows us the impact of being authentic, vulnerable, and imperfect. For brands and podcasters, these qualities create lasting connections with audiences. People crave what’s real—so embrace who you are, flaws and all, and watch your audience respond with loyalty and engagement.