Chappell Roan isn’t concerned with the boundaries she sets for fans — and now press photographers.

The “Hot to Go!” and “Good Luck, Babe!” singer, one of pop’s current feminist icons, made her MTV Video Music Awards debut on Wednesday. Walking the red carpet outside UBS Arena in Long Island, New York, Roan turned heads with more than just her sheer, midcentury look.

Roan raised her voice at a photographer standing by the step-and-repeat, telling them to “shut the f— up,” according to a viral video shared on X (formerly Twitter). Before the heated moment, someone off-camera can be heard uttering the same profane phrase, though it’s unclear why.

“No, I don’t, b-,” she added.

Shortly after the exchange, the “Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess” musician explained that she simply wanted to make her case. “This is pretty overwhelming and pretty scary,” she told Entertainment Tonight on the carpet.

“I think for someone who gets a lot of anxiety from people yelling at you, the carpet is horrible and I yelled back,” she continued. “You can’t yell at me like that.”

The 26-year-old singer, who has been on a hot streak all summer, has been candid about the toll her meteoric rise to fame has taken on her personal life and privacy. In a series of searing TikTok videos shared last month, Roan accused some fans of harassment, bullying and stalking her family. She also said it was “weird” when fans stopped her for a photo or a hug.

Roan later clarified her message after receiving a lot of criticism.

“I do not subscribe to the idea that I owe a reciprocal exchange of energy, time, or attention to people I don’t know, don’t trust, or who scare the hell out of me — just because they express admiration,” she said in the August statement on social media. “Women don’t owe you a reason why they don’t want to be touched or spoken to.”

On Wednesday, Roan didn’t just bring the heat to the VMAs red carpet. With a flaming crossbow, she set the VMAs stage ablaze for her performance of “Good Luck, Babe!” Donning a suit of armor, she sang and danced with sword-wielding backup dancers as flames engulfed a castle.

Heading into Wednesday’s ceremony, Roan was nominated in four categories, including song of the summer and trending video. She took home the award for new artist and dedicated her win to those who inspired her.

“I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspire me. And I dedicate this to the queer and trans people who make pop music. To the gay people who dedicate my songs to someone they love or hate,” she said, reading from her diary.

She added: “And to all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you. I get you, because I am one of you. And don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t be exactly who you want to be.”