Her outfit included green body paint, a crown headpiece, a tube top, and a skirt, embodying the iconic symbol of freedom.
Roan made a dramatic entrance inside a red apple, a nod to New York City's nickname, "The Big Apple." She emerged from the apple to start her set with her hit song "Femininomenon." Addressing the crowd, she stated she was "in drag" because she considers herself "the biggest queen of them all."
During her performance, Roan quoted the famous poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free." She then shared her interpretation of these words, emphasizing the need for freedom in various rights movements. "That means freedom in trans rights, that means freedom in women's rights... and it especially means freedom for all oppressed people in occupied territories," she said, becoming visibly emotional.
Roan, who is openly queer, has been a vocal advocate for drag performance and has consistently supported the LGBTQIA community. In a 2023 interview with PEOPLE, she discussed her commitment to booking drag queens to open for her shows, particularly in light of increasing anti-LGBTQIA legislation and drag bans in the U.S.
"It's just a great way to engage the local queer community to that city,” Roan explained. "I encourage people to tip the queens, that's redistributing funds within the community there, and also it just gives a platform for the drag queens."
She added, "Some of these queens have never performed in front of a crowd that big before, and it's just fun.”
Roan's performance at the Governors Ball not only showcased her musical talent but also highlighted her dedication to social justice and her role as an advocate for the marginalized. Her choice to dress as the Statue of Liberty and her heartfelt speech underscored the importance of freedom and equality for all.