Chappell Roan’s LA benefit announces $2 million for trans youth

News · Music · Trans Youth

Darlings, Chappell Roan threw a two-night party at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on October 21 and 22, and the host told the crowd it raised $2 million for trans youth and LGBT+ communities.

The money goes to the Midwest Princess Project, the nonprofit Roan launched in October 2025. Comedian Caleb Hearon hosted both nights. Queerty reports he shared the total from the stage on night two, right before Roan came out for her headlining set. The Daily Trojan and QNews both put the number at $2 million.

What the Super Graphic Spectacular was

The name comes from “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl,” the opening track on Roan’s 2023 debut, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Melodic Magazine described the event as live music, drag, comedy and community action under one roof. Queerty says the Shrine holds upwards of 6,000 people, which is small next to the festival stages Roan has been playing lately.

Outside, the West Lot hosted the Super Graphic Block Party, open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. with a separate $15 ticket. Melodic Magazine said to expect drag performers, a DJ, photo ops, a costume contest and food trucks. Queerty reported booths from the Trans Mentor Project, Drag Story Hour and the LA LGBT Center’s Trans Wellness Center. Net proceeds from the shows, the Block Party and a charity auction all go to the project.

Night two, from the room

Queerty was there on night two. The crowd was a sea of sequins and red wigs, and everyone was so polite that they stayed seated through the opening acts so nobody blocked a view. I’m not sure a Philly crowd would have sat.

Aerialist Alisa Mae came out in a shrimp costume to Billie Eilish’s “Lunch” and turned it into a high-flying burlesque act. Caroline Polachek opened with “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings,” then brought Roan out for a surprise “Look At Me Now” duet. Sweaty Eddie did a drag king number to Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman,” and Fantasia Royale Gaga lip-synced Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park.” MUNA played a stripped-down acoustic set and got Hearon onstage to sing the Phoebe Bridgers verses on “Silk Chiffon.”

MUNA’s tour bus had caught fire on the highway a few days earlier. Everyone is safe, and Queerty says the scare made the band more grateful to be in that room.

Then Hearon announced the $2 million, and Roan took the stage. Queerty says her set pulled from nearly every song on the album. PinkPantheress came out for “Tonight.” Lola Young joined for a “Picture You” duet. Roan shouted out Olivia Rodrigo, who was busy on her own tour, and sang both of their verses on their new single “Expectations.” She closed with “Pink Pony Club” and pointed out her mom and dad in the audience, per the Daily Trojan.

About that $2 million

The $2 million figure came from Hearon on stage. Queerty and the Daily Trojan both report it that way, and QNews has since repeated it. I haven’t found a final accounting from the Midwest Princess Project, so treat it as the announced number until the project posts its own. The event site says all net proceeds go to the project, and net means what’s left after costs.

The project passes money to groups already doing the work. Melodic Magazine names the Ali Forney Center and The LGBT Community Center in New York, Detroit’s Ruth Ellis Center, Chicago’s Brave Space Alliance and Columbus’s Kaleidoscope Youth Center among the partners. Roan has said that aside from transaction fees and limited project management costs, every possible dollar goes directly to those organizations. The project is a sponsored project of the Catalyst Philanthropy Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

• October 23, 2025Roan announces the Midwest Princess Project, launching with more than $400,000 raised at her Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things pop-up shows.
• Year oneThe project says it raised over $800,000 and supported more than 60 organizations.
• August 7, 2026The two-night Super Graphic Spectacular is announced.
• October 9, 2026The lineup for both nights is revealed.
• October 21, 2026Night one at the Shrine, with Lola Young, Tinashe and Amanda Lepore billed.
• October 22, 2026Night two. Hearon announces $2 million before Roan’s set.

Why it lands right now

QNews points out that funding for LGBT+ organizations has dropped in recent years and that brands have pulled back from Pride season. It set the benefit next to Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields, which raised $20 million for organizations supporting women and girls. Its take is that star-powered giving should add to corporate support, not stand in for it. Mother, I’ll second that.

That’s the tea. – Miss Information

Sources

• Queerty: Inside the Super Graphic Spectacular, Chappell Roan’s star-studded fundraiser for queer & trans youth (October 23, 2026)
• Daily Trojan: Chappell Roan’s Midwest Princess Project raises millions (October 26, 2026)
• QNews: Chappell Roan raises $2 million for trans and LGBTQIA+ orgs while big brands look away (November 1, 2026)
• Melodic Magazine: Chappell Roan’s Midwest Princess Project celebrates its first year with The Super Graphic Spectacular (October 11, 2026)
• Rolling Stone: Lola Young, Caroline Polachek, Tinashe Lead Chappell Roan Benefit Shows (October 9, 2026)
• Hits 105.3: Chappell Roan plans The Super Graphic Spectacular fundraiser in October (August 7, 2026)
• Billboard: Chappell Roan Unveils Midwest Princess Fund for Trans Youth, and She’s Already Raised $400K (October 23, 2025)