Chappell Roan took first place in the BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2025 list, an annual survey that recognizes emerging artists with “the best chance of mainstream success.”

The pop sensation, born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, was chosen as the winner by a jury of more than 180 music industry personalities and artists, including global superstars Dua Lipa and Elton John. Further details about the panel and how the list was put together can be found on BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2025 website.

Roan (Island Records) beat jazz group Ezra Collective (Partisan Records), who took second place, as well as Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune), Myles Smith (RCA) and Mercury Prize winners English Teacher (Iceland). This success follows a breakout year for the 26-year-old, whose single “Good Luck, Babe!” reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September, five months after its initial release.

In the last 12 months, Roan has won the top new artist award at the Billboard Music Awards; received six Grammy nominations, including awards in each of the Big Four categories; toured the world and attracted record-breaking crowds at festivals. Her debut LP from 2023, The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern PrincessMeanwhile, the album gained new momentum and climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in August.

Roan will be headlining at Primavera Sound in Barcelona, ​​Spain from June 5th to 7th alongside Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter. She will also co-headline alongside Hozier at the Reading & Leeds Festival, England, August 21-24. Other festivals she will play at over the summer include Øya Festival in Oslo (August 6th), Sziget in Budapest (August 11th) and Rock In Seine in Paris (August 20th).

BBC Radio 1 DJ Jack Saunders said: “No one deserves this award more than Chappell Roan. She was the most exciting artist of the last 12 months and will now be THE artist of the next 12 months. The success is entirely due to her: she stands firm in the face of doubters and keeps her community close to fuel the energy of her shows and musical movements. Congratulations Chappell, 2025 is your year!”

Last year’s BBC Radio 1 Sound of poll was won by baroque pop band The Last Dinner Party. Runners-up included Olivia Dean, Peggy Gou and Tyla. Notable previous winners include Adele (2008), Florence + The Machine (2009), Sam Smith (2013) and Sam Fender (2019).

The 2025 longlist, unveiled in November, consisted of 11 acts, including Kneecap, Mk.gee, Doechii, Confidence Man, Pozer and Good Neighbors.