Role Model thinks Maine has bigger stars than him — and he named Anna Kendrick and Stephen King as proof. The singer, born Tucker Pillsbury, appeared on the Oct. 2 premiere of Amelia Dimoldenberg’s final season of “Chicken Shop Date” and spent the episode arguing about who represents his home state best.
“He’s probably sold more stuff than me,” Pillsbury said of King, who is one of the best-selling novelists of all time. “Got more money.” The show’s host, Dimoldenberg, then told him bluntly: “You’re not as successful as Stephen King, no. That’s just a fact.”
“You’re starting to hurt my feelings,” Pillsbury replied. “[He has a] whole different job.”
Kendrick and King
Pillsbury pointed out that Kendrick is from Maine during the conversation. Dimoldenberg added that King, the famed horror author, is also from the Pine Tree State.
The exchange landed with a mix of modesty and good-natured pride. Pillsbury acknowledged King’s commercial success without bitterness, even as he defended his own musical path.
The Album Sales Numbers
Pillsbury’s recent album, Chuck Timely & The Hourglass, hit a milestone that King’s novels have never matched. The record scored a top 10 debut on the Billboard 200, moving 24,000 copies in its first week in the United States, according to Luminate.
The album also includes a spoken-word contribution from Pillsbury’s then-girlfriend, Dakota Johnson, on the track “Love I You.”
Dimoldenberg’s Question About His Type
Later in the episode, Dimoldenberg asked Pillsbury what his “type” is. He initially hedged, telling her, “You’re not gonna like it, so I’m going to lie. I’m going to say I just love people.”
Dimoldenberg pushed back, and Pillsbury admitted he prefers brunettes. He then joked, “I think some people can be brunette on the inside. I feel a real connection to you in a brunette sort of way.”
Other Maine Names
The question of who is Maine’s most famous person remains open. Other contenders include actor Patrick Dempsey and sports personality Erin Andrews.
Pillsbury’s own achievement is real, even if it falls short of King’s sales figures. A top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 is a significant milestone for a pop artist.
The Full Episode
The full episode of “Chicken Shop Date” featuring Role Model is available to watch online.
A Modest Star
Pillsbury’s response to Dimoldenberg’s assessment was playful and self-aware. He took the comparison with humor rather than defensiveness, acknowledging the gap between his own career and King’s without losing his sense of humor.
The exchange is a reminder that fame comes in different forms. King is one of the best-selling novelists of all time. Kendrick is from Maine. Pillsbury makes pop records that move tens of thousands of copies a week.
None of them are objectively better than the others. They just happen to sell different things.
Who Wins the Title
The question of who is Maine’s most famous person is a matter of perspective. Kendrick is from Maine. King has decades of best-seller lists. Dempsey and Andrews both represent the state in entertainment.
Pillsbury has a top 10 album and a growing fan base. The jobs are not comparable, and neither are the metrics of success.
A Running Order
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Episode premiere | Oct. 2 |
| Album title | Chuck Timely & The Hourglass |
| First-week copies sold | 24,000 |
| Sales tracking | Luminate |
The conversation was light, the jokes were funny, and the album sales numbers are real. Role Model may not be as successful as Stephen King, but he is certainly one of Maine’s most entertaining exports.
Source material: “Is Role Model the Most Famous Person From Maine? Here’s What He Said on ‘Chicken Shop Date’,” Billboard.
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