Pop singer Chappell Roan drew attention for her onstage criticism of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a sold-out concert in California. The Department of Homeland Security responded sharply to her comments. The exchange highlights ongoing celebrity opposition to ICE amid rising threats against its agents.
On Friday, 27-year-old singer Chappell Roan, whose legal name is Kayleigh Amstutz, performed at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. During the show, she expressed gratitude to the city before adding a pointed remark against ICE. “I’m so lucky to be able to live here and to play here, and this city has always taken care of me, and it’s only my duty to take care of it back, so I just want to thank you,” she said, followed by, “And f*** ICE forever.”
The Department of Homeland Security issued a response on Sunday through Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs, in a statement to TMZ. “‘Pink Pony Club’ is good,” McLaughlin said, referencing Roan's popular single. “Pedophiles are bad. That’s who we’re getting off of our streets. Get a grip.”
Roan's comments come amid a wave of celebrity criticism toward ICE, even as threats and violence against its agents have increased dramatically. Attacks on ICE personnel and their families have risen nearly 1,000% in the past eight months, with some attributing this to portrayals of the agency as villains by Democrats and the media.
Other examples include country singer Zach Bryan, who faced backlash for his song “Bad News,” which called ICE agents “cocky motherf*ers” and referenced them breaking down doors; he later attempted to clarify his message. Actor Jeff Bridges appeared on Jimmy Kimmel last week in character as “The Dude” from “The Big Lebowski,” saying, “ICE? Let’s get ICE off our streets and into our beverages, man,” and urging to “abide together.” Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, selected for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, has avoided U.S. tours due to concerns over ICE targeting attendees, once calling agents “motherfers” and “sons of bes” in an Instagram video. He explained, “There was the issue of — like, fing ICE could be outside. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”