American pop singer Chappell Roan has been forced into an embarrassing public retraction after posting a glowing tribute to the late French icon Brigitte Bardot, only to discover the actress's long history of inflammatory and bigoted statements.
A Swift Tribute and a Swift Deletion
The 27-year-old Pink Pony Club artist took to her Instagram Stories on December 28 to honour Bardot following news of her death. Roan credited the screen legend as the direct 'inspiration' behind her 2023 hit single, Red Wine Supernova.
‘She was my inspiration for red wine supernova. Rest in peace Ms. Bardot,’ the singer wrote. However, the post was quickly met with a flood of comments from concerned followers who pointed out Bardot's deeply controversial past.
The 'Insane' Views That Forced a U-Turn
Just a day later, on December 29, a chastened Chappell Roan responded. She stated she had been completely unaware of the nature of Bardot's public comments, which she branded as 'insane'.
The singer's fans had informed her that in her 2003 book, A Scream in the Silence, Bardot had referred to gay people as 'fairground freaks'. Furthermore, the actress turned animal rights activist had been convicted five times for inciting racial hatred during her lifetime.
In her final television interview in 2025, Bardot also criticised the MeToo movement, stating: 'Feminism isn’t my thing… I like men.'
Addressing the backlash directly, Roan wrote: 'Holy s**t i did not know all that insane s**t Ms. Bardot stood for obvs I do not condone this. Very disappointing to learn.'
Bardot's Legacy: Stardom and Scandal
Born in 1934 in Paris, Brigitte Bardot rocketed to international fame with the 1956 film And God Created Woman, directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim. She became one of the most iconic 'sex symbols' of the 1960s before leaving showbusiness to dedicate herself to animal welfare through her Brigitte Bardot Foundation.
Her death was confirmed by the foundation, which noted she passed away weeks after surgery and a 'sudden illness' at her home in Saint-Tropez. Tributes poured in from figures including French President Emmanuel Macron, who called her a 'legend of the century', and far-right politician Marine Le Pen.
Other celebrities paying homage included Sharon Osbourne, Lindsay Lohan, and Sofia Vergara, highlighting the complex divide between Bardot's cinematic legacy and her personal beliefs.
For Chappell Roan, the incident serves as a stark lesson in the perils of public tribute in the digital age, where a star's entire history is just a click away for their fanbase.
