With a little luck, a dash of talent and a finger to hit ‘post’, you too can be an overnight success; but not so fast. With the overinflated ability to become ‘viral’ in today’s digital age, reaching a point of notoriety is no longer as immediate as Justin Beiber’s whirlwind of a Youtube video. With everyone fighting to be recognized and revered for their work, the road to success is a journey,not a sprint.

“All overnight successes take about 10 years to achieve.” - Jeff Bezos

Taste Of Fame

While the overtly stylish looks, delicious attitude and batting eyelashes of this Short n’ Sweet ‘overnight’ pop sensation may be a new discovery to parents, Gen Z knows this artist all too well. Back in 2014, Sabrina Carpenter began creeping into the spotlight via the Disney Channel track…shivers,I know. But trust me, this one is a success story. As Maya Hart in the Disney Channel show Girl Meets World, a revamped version of ‘90s sitcom, Boy Meets World, Sabrina flaunted her acting chops as the sass-filled sidekick to her logical best friend. Capturing the rebellious deflection of the cryptic, horrific and loathsome realities of being a pre-teen girl. Many say it features a love triangle to rival that of The Vampire Diaries (no one said that actually, just me). But on a real note: Lucas and Maya over Lucas and Riley any day. I would be delighted to offer up an argumentative analysis to defend my decade-long position on the matter.

Safe to say: I fell hypnotized to the Maya Hart coolness factor, as many young girls did. And just like that,Sabrina had gotten a hold of the consumer’s entertainment interest, even if the interest was from a prepubescent population.

Picking up on the momentum of her positive reception, Sabrina featured in several movies with roles ranging from a babysitter, prom queen, dancer and more; ultimately marking her spot on the industry’s rising stars list.

Through her exposure on the big screen, Sabrina was able to further promote her music career, which she had been building since her first song release in 2014, titled “Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying,” after signing with Hollywood Records at just fourteen-years-old.

As her reputation grew in the entertainment scene, Sabrina was met with an artist’s greatest fear: cancel culture. 2021 marked the booming success of Olivia Rodrigo’s breakup album, Sour, and Sabrina was the culprit pinned by the media as “the other woman” mentioned in the album. As sung in her response song, Sabrina had “death threats filling up semi-trucks.”

Level with me here. Publicity stunt or not, let’s dish out some rightful conviction for any malice that was thrown towards a young woman simply because she liked a boy. In 20 years we will be aggressively humbled by having to explain to children the significance that Troy Bolton (a.k.a America’s Sweetheart) had in our adolescent lives; you can’t blame a girl for trying with the rebooted version of him. Despite the cruelty of the media at her back, Sabrina did not allow the hate to tear down her desire to advance her career.

Finally, and more than well deserved, Sabrina’s sixth album release, Short n’ Sweet, granted Sabrina the adoration for her music that her loyal fans, who are no longer pre-teens, had been enamored with for a decade.

There is nothing dumb about the impact that Sabrina’s poetic sentiments have had, resonating with millions that have brought her recent album past the three billion streams mark. A feat that daunts even Taylor Swift and her acoustic releases.

A peak of her career is her Short n’ Sweet tour, adorned in glamorous outfits, arenas upon arenas of fans and international notoriety. This Halloween season was more sparkle than blood with countless fans dressing up as Sabrina: an official “I made it” moment if I’ve ever seen one.

As Andrew Garfield would say…she is like a shot of espresso: Giving us the song of the summer, reviving the art of the music video, and continuously giving us a taste for more.

Most recent headlines showcase the singer’s emotional reaction to her whopping eight Grammy nominations, a pinnacle point of achievement for her tireless work in her recent album, and every album that has led up to it. Upon gleefully hearing she had been nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ she joked that it should be ‘Best Old Artist’ instead; remarking on the fact that she’s been here; just about…oh, yes, ten years.

Casual Climb To Stardom

In a stroke of cinematic foresight, Atlantic Records sought to sign a record deal with a 17 year old girl from Missouri. By combining her late grandfather’s name with his own favorite song, a stage name for the history books was born: Chappell Roan.

Though Chappell started her career with a steady output of music, her first hit did not strike until she relocated to the California coast. She felt welcomed by the fellow queer community she discovered within LA, leading to her inspiration to write “Pink Pony Club.” Despite this song currently being in the majority of the upcoming spotify wrapped for any and everyone, back in 2020 its initial release did not fare well. Atlantic Records went Good Luck, Babe this is where we part ways, essentially fumbling and dropping Chappell from the label, failing to see the gold they had struck and let go of. Deciding to pick herself up again as an independent artist, Chappell was determined to bounce back stronger following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Choosing to pave her own path, Chappell continued to self release songs such as “Naked in Manhattan” and “My Kink is Karma” with nothing but her enormous talent, dedication to the craft, and drag-inspired looks that continued to build a steady basis of consumer recognition. Eventually, Chappell had the opportunity to open during Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour. This exposure granted Chappell an explosion of fans that wanted to hear more than just a warm up to the main show. As the media’s ‘shiny new toy,’ the internet raced to claim their fan status of the camp singer.

Crowned the Midwest Princess, Chappell has drawn the spotlight towards her with her compelling and vulnerable songs that incase genres all across the board. Coupled with her powerful voice on stage is an unorthodox style that is reminiscent of Lady Gaga’s history of breaking fashion expectations.

Chappell represents a new calling to this era of music listeners. She encourages the adornment of one’s self. That is it – it is not about the packed-on blush, the elaborate wigs, or even the audacious aura –it is about the self expression and freedom-laced voice you are using. Her lack of fear when it comes to speaking on her struggles has created an instant connection and relatability to her fanbase that continues to multiply tenfold.

Often, fame and success is a dish best served in a dream. The vision board featured on your pinterest may not feel as glamorized as it looks upon a screen. Chappell Roan is a pinnacle example to this phenomenon as her experience with the harsh realities of press and fan attention has affected her mental health; a dilemma most of us would experience with such a jarring boost in recognition. Staying true to herself, Chappell does not back down when faced with the unjust treatment of reducing professional performers to posing mannequins. She has repeatedly called out press officials to their faces for the disrespect that has undoubtedly been thrown towards many others as well.

Bringing the interactive nature back to musical performances, Chappell’s viral song “Hot To Go” features a YMCA type dance that gets the whole crowd involved—even the elite in their air conditioned spaces, who Chappell continues to chastise for thinking they are too cool to join in on the fun.

There is nothing casual about the brave, bold, and boisterous stage looks that Chappell adorns so well. Although, she has remarked that her styling is often uncomfortable but she understands the golden rule…well the other golden rule: beauty is pain. And Chappell’s perseverance to show up and show out for her fans is the most beautiful thing of all. She has fought for herself through the public doubt, confusion, and underestimation of the global sensation that she was destined to become. Through her past year’s journey headlining festivals, charming talk show hosts, and magnifying her crowds from ‘gigs’ to arena tours, Chappell is belting her songs alongside millions of fans who are eternally grateful to have been made aware of the art that a shall not be repeated record label failed to see the initial potential in.

Between Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, behind the glitter and the glam, are women who are ingenious in their marketing, artistic abilities and perseverance to reach the souls of the masses. The sold out arenas in their honor are a testament to the fans that they brought along with them from the beginning, as they grew, matured and improved in their careers. Cheerleaders that are captivated by the presence that has not appeared out of thin air but has been sharpened by obstacle after obstacle in their careers.

Grasping Graduates

Disillusionment observed through the rose colored glasses of an immediate claim of success cripples the mind and fortifies the anxiety of myself, and most college students who feel that their goals are to be staked in the ground with a graduation cap still clutched in their hand. The sweet spot of “mom I made it” is not a sentiment to be handed over leisurely; it is an exclamation to be hard fought for. Despite the schooling taught, success is not pass or fail, it is not a wackomole system that determines if you are able to hit the career mark you have been seeking since adolescence. Achievement is a reward best served on a plate of humility; humility built in the mail room, at an assistant’s desk, or simply at the bottom of the totem pole. Astounding pressure has been placed on thinking dreams are to be taken and not meticulously crafted and honed. When (not if) you ‘make it’ to the success that you have been racing toward, you may be seen as an overnight rookie happening upon notoriety, but that is when humility can be temporarily put aside to let everyone know how damn hard you have worked to get to where you are. Applause is synonymous whether this milestone is met in your 20s, 40s, 70s, and beyond. Every 10-year overnight success story begins at an individual’s own rate, and their journey has nothing to do with your own. It is not a comparison game, it is a life of self motivation and encouragement to strive toward what you deem as fulfilling.

Delving into the idols surrounding you, there is a connection between the greatest success stories and the blood, sweat, and tears that they poured into their craft. Struggling and coming out stronger for it is the sweetest promise that a post graduate future can offer. Relish in the rookie roles, as they are just the beginning to the rest of your life, and that is a success story in its own right.

Written by Logan Hansen, Photography: Kaleigh Mazy, Design: Aida Packer, Social Media: Juliet Ziauddin, Styling: Avery Elkins

Good Luck Babe, You’ll Get There