Chappell Roan found herself at the center of an online firestorm this weekend after posting an Instagram Story paying tribute to Brigitte Bardot, following news of the French icon’s death at age 91.
In the post, which has since been deleted but was captured by TMZ, Roan shared that Bardot was the creative inspiration behind "Red Wine Supernova," the breakout track that helped cement her status as one of pop’s most talked-about rising stars.
The connection itself wasn’t new—Bardot’s name has been embedded in the song since its release—but Roan’s decision to publicly memorialize the actress immediately after her death drew renewed attention to that influence.
As the story circulated across social platforms, Roan began receiving heavy backlash. Many critics took issue with the timing and tone of the tribute. In contrast, others expressed disappointment that a queer pop anthem was linked to a figure with a long and controversial political history.
The controversy unfolded just as Bardot’s death was being widely reported. The French actress, who rose to global fame in the 1950s and ’60s with films like And God Created Woman and Contempt, was once considered one of the defining screen sirens of the 20th century.
She retired from acting in the early 1970s and later reinvented herself as a high-profile animal rights activist, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation and campaigning internationally against animal cruelty.
However, Bardot’s public image became increasingly complicated over the decades. According to The Guardian, she was repeatedly convicted in French courts for inciting racial hatred, primarily tied to statements about immigration and Islam.
For more than 30 years, she openly supported France’s far-right political movement, aligning herself with figures including Jean-Marie Le Pen and, later, his daughter, Marine Le Pen. Bardot was also vocal in her opposition to the #MeToo movement and made remarks critical of the LGBTQ+ community in her writing.
Following news of Bardot's controversy, Roan quickly distanced herself from the dedication and deleted her post. "Holy s**t i did not know all that insane shit Ms. Bardot stood for obvs I do not condone this. very disappointing to learn," she wrote.