Chappell Roan Removes Brigitte Bardot Tribute Amid Backlash Over Controversial Political Stance

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Chappell Roan has reconsidered her admiration for Brigitte Bardot, who inspired her song “Red Wine Supernova,” following revelations about Bardot’s political stances.

After Bardot passed away at the age of 91, Roan, 27, joined several stars in honoring the actress. She shared a tribute on her Instagram Story on Sunday, December 28, saying, “Rest in peace Ms. Bardot. She was my inspiration for ‘Red Wine Supernova,’” shortly after Bardot’s death was announced.

However, Roan removed her tribute and issued a new statement on Monday, December 29, after she learned about Bardot’s political views, which did not align with her own.

“Holy s***, I was unaware of the shocking beliefs Ms. Bardot held,” Roan expressed on her Instagram Story. “Obviously, I don’t support them. It’s really disappointing to find this out.”

Bardot became an international superstar in the 1950s and 60s after her sex appeal and acting chops were revealed in films such as And God Created Woman, The Truth and Contempt.

The French bombshell retired from acting at the age of 39 in 1973 to focus on animal rights activism. However, it was her support of the far-right, which some have called extremist in nature, that eventually led to her Bardot becoming controversial in some circles.

Chappell Roan Deletes Brigitte Bardot Death Tribute After Discovering Right Wing Political Views Inline — Brigitte Bardot. Keystone Features/Getty Images

Bardot was known for backing National Front candidates such as Catherine Megret and Marine Le Pen and speaking out against the alleged “Islamisation” of France. She condemned the uptick in immigrants to her home country of France, especially Muslims, according to the Associated Press. (Bardot was repeatedly fined for inciting hatred towards Muslims.)

The Two Weeks in September star was also criticized for allegedly “inciting racial hatred and for comparing homosexuals and pedophiles” in her book, A Cry in the Silence, per The Hollywood Reporter.

In one chapter of the book, Bardot referred to gay people as “cheap f***ts or circus freaks” and suggested the LGBTQ+ community be closeted like they were in the 50s and 60s.

Bardot turned heads again in 2018 when she clapped back at the #MeToo movement. “I thought it was nice to be told that I was beautiful or that I had a nice little ass,” she said at the time, seemingly downplaying the seriousness of many actresses’ traumatic experiences with men in power during their own careers.

Roan, for her part, paid homage to Bardot in her 2023 hit “Red Wine Supernova,” singing, “She was a playboy, Brigitte Bardot / She showed me things I didn’t know.”

While she did sing about Bardot in a positive light, she no longer holds her in high regard, according to her Monday statement.

Roan’s opposition to Bardot’s political views isn’t surprising due to how vocal she’s been throughout her own career about accepting all people, especially those who have been persecuted for who they love.

“There’s so many things in the world that are so ‘f*** you’ and like, then there is this. The only thing that matters anymore is joy to me. And protecting that, and peace and safety,” Roan, who identifies as a lesbian, told her fans during the last of three shows in Los Angeles in October. “So I hope you know that when you are here, you are safe, and I want you here, you can be whoever you are tonight.”

She added: “You’re cherished for everything that you are. Even if you’re not queer, I hope you know that I include you. This isn’t just for the gays. Thank you for being here and supporting me and supporting each other. This is the biggest headline show I’ve ever had. So thank you.”