Olivia Rodrigo Shares Insights on Fame and Controversies
Olivia Rodrigo, the 20-year-old music sensation, has opened up about the challenges of fame and growing up in the spotlight. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, she candidly discussed the profound changes in her life since her debut album, Sour, topped the charts in 2021. Among the topics addressed was her alleged feud with Taylor Swift.
Rodrigo, who once considered herself a devoted fan of Taylor Swift, spoke about how Swift had been a significant source of inspiration for her as a songwriter. She emphasized her admiration for Swift’s work and influence on her musical journey. Their first meeting occurred at the Brit Awards in March 2021, after exchanging heartfelt letters and gifts.
However, their budding friendship hit a roadblock when Rodrigo released her second single, “Deja Vu,” in April, which led to retroactive credits for Swift, Jack Antonoff, and St. Vincent due to similarities with Swift’s “Cruel Summer.” Similarly, Rodrigo’s songs “1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back” and “Good 4 U” saw Swift, Hayley Williams, and Josh Farro receiving credits due to musical resemblances.
Rodrigo acknowledged that she wasn’t deeply involved in the credit process, stating, “It was more team-on-team. So, I wouldn’t be the best person to ask.”
Another controversy surrounded Rodrigo’s debut single, “Driver’s License,” which fueled speculation about a love triangle involving Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, and Sabrina Carpenter. Rodrigo admitted that the overwhelming social media attention prompted her to delete her accounts for six months, seeking a respite from the frenzy.
Regarding the love triangle, none of the three parties involved publicly addressed the situation. Joshua Bassett, in particular, chose not to engage in rumors, emphasizing the importance of focusing on their artistic talents rather than their personal lives.
In her interview with Rolling Stone, Rodrigo shared her perspective on several key issues:
On the Joshua Bassett and Sabrina Carpenter Drama: Rodrigo described their interactions as “tricky” but private, stating her preference for dealing with such matters personally rather than issuing public statements. She also indicated she hadn’t read Bassett’s article discussing his health crisis following the release of “Driver’s License.”
On Whether “Vampire” Is About Ex Zack Bia: Rodrigo offered a cryptic “No comment” when asked if her song “Vampire” was inspired by her ex-boyfriend Zack Bia, signaling her diminishing concern about people speculating about her song subjects.
On Her Rumored Feud With Taylor Swift: Rodrigo firmly denied any feud, emphasizing her laid-back attitude and limited social circle. She humorously mentioned her interest in alien-conspiracy theories instead of dwelling on Twitter rumors.
On Giving Up Royalties for Her Songs on ‘Sour’: Reflecting on the retrospective crediting of Swift and others on her songs, Rodrigo expressed her initial surprise and her belief in focusing on what she can control—writing her songs.
In the world of fame and controversy, Olivia Rodrigo maintains her composure and artistic integrity, sharing her music with the world while navigating the challenges that come her way.