Olivia Rodrigo

Latest News: Olivia Rodrigo Earns Six Grammy Nominations on the Success of Her GUTS Album

Olivia Rodrigo, the 20-year-old pop sensation, has earned six Grammy nominations, including prestigious categories such as Record of the Year and Song of the Year for her hit single “Vampire,” and Album of the Year for her 2023 release, GUTS. She will be competing against top artists like Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and SZA at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Expressing her gratitude, Rodrigo posted on X, formerly Twitter: “What an incredible honor to be recognized by the recording academy in this way.”

Alongside her Grammy nominations, Rodrigo is also celebrating the upcoming release of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, which features her song “Can’t Catch Me Now.” The highly anticipated film will debut in theaters on November 17.

Who Is Olivia Rodrigo?

California native Olivia Rodrigo rose to fame as both a singer and actor, showcasing her talents early on with starring roles in Disney’s Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. She skyrocketed to global stardom in January 2021 with her debut single “Drivers License,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the first song to surpass one billion streams that year. Rodrigo followed this success with her Grammy-winning debut album Sour and her sophomore release, GUTS, in 2023.

Early Life and Parents

Born on February 20, 2003, in Murrieta, California, Olivia Isabel Rodrigo grew up in nearby Temecula with her parents, Jennifer, a teacher, and Chris, a marriage and family therapist. Of Filipino descent on her father’s side and with German and Irish roots from her mother, Rodrigo has spoken about her evolving pride in her biracial identity, reflecting on her childhood experiences of feeling the pressure to conform to Western beauty ideals.

From a young age, Rodrigo was immersed in music, thanks to her mother’s influence, introducing her to alternative rock bands like No Doubt and Smashing Pumpkins. Rodrigo began taking singing lessons at age 5, later adding piano to her skill set, though she initially resisted. Her love for songwriting developed early, with Rodrigo crafting heartbreak-themed songs long before experiencing romance herself, humorously noting, “I literally wrote breakup songs before I ever held a boy’s hand.”

Alongside her musical pursuits, Rodrigo nurtured a passion for acting from the age of 6. She performed in school productions and auditioned for professional roles, with her parents driving her the 90 miles to Los Angeles for auditions. Though not an overnight success, Rodrigo’s persistence and determination ultimately paid off, leading to the breakthrough that made her one of the most prominent voices in contemporary music.

Disney Stardom with High School Musical

Olivia Rodrigo began her rise to fame at the age of 10, landing the lead role in An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success (2015). Two years later, she was cast as Paige Olvera in the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark (2016-19), where she starred alongside Madison Hu, a close friend to this day. Her role on the show required her to learn guitar and marked the start of her journey into the entertainment world. At 15, Rodrigo secured the starring role of Nini Salazar-Roberts in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (HSM:TM), which premiered on Disney+ in November 2019. Offscreen, she continued writing her own music, and her song “I Am More,” shared on Instagram, caught the attention of the show’s producers, leading to her composing “All I Want” for her character.

At age 16, Rodrigo performed “All I Want,” a ballad that became a breakout hit, reaching the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020. After three seasons, she left HSM:TMin 2022 to pursue other professional opportunities.

Breakthrough Hit: “Drivers License”

Rodrigo’s songwriting and vocal talents on “All I Want” garnered attention from various record labels. She ultimately signed with Geffen Records, diverging from the typical path of Disney stars like Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, who initially worked with Disney’s Hollywood Records. This marked the beginning of her unique career trajectory. With support from producer Dan Nigro, Rodrigo released “drivers license” in January 2021. The emotional breakup ballad debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Rodrigo, then 17, the youngest artist to achieve this feat.

The song’s confessional style drew comparisons to her idol, Taylor Swift, and became a viral sensation on TikTok. Its universal appeal resonated beyond Disney fans, and the song was even featured in a viral Saturday Night Live sketch. Rodrigo remarked to The New York Times, “The cool thing about ‘drivers license’ is I’ve seen so many videos of people being like, ‘I have no idea who this girl is, but I really love this song.’”

Sour Album and Performances

Following the success of “drivers license,” Rodrigo chose to create a full-length album instead of an EP. She collaborated again with Nigro, working tirelessly to complete Sour, which was released in May 2021. Rodrigo wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, and the tracks reflect her diverse musical influences, including Fiona Apple, Alanis Morissette, and Green Day. Her singles “deja vu” and “good 4 u” both achieved significant chart success, with “good 4 u” becoming another No. 1 hit.

Sour was praised for its heartfelt lyrics, with Rodrigo stating in an interview with Billboard, “I’m a songwriter who writes from a place of authenticity and truth.” Her music spoke to listeners dealing with heartbreak and identity struggles, and Rodrigo hoped to connect with young girls experiencing insecurities about their ethnicity and sense of self, as she once did. In 2021, she performed “Drivers License” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and at the Brit Awards, marking her first live performance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

GUTS Album and Continued Success

Rodrigo quickly followed up her debut album with GUTS, releasing its first single, “Vampire,” in June 2023. Like “drivers license,” the song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Rodrigo the first artist to have the lead singles from their first two albums reach the top of the charts. In September 2023, GUTS was released to both critical and commercial acclaim, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and surpassing the success of Sour.

Rodrigo expressed that GUTS was a more playful exploration of personal growth compared to her previous breakup-themed work. She shared with Rolling Stone, “This album encapsulates growing up, and figuring yourself out in the world, and the awkwardness of that.”

Grammy Awards

Rodrigo’s success has been recognized by the Grammy Awards, where she has won three trophies out of 13 nominations. At the 2022 ceremony, she won Best Pop Solo Performance for “drivers license,” Best Pop Vocal Album for Sour, and was named Best New Artist. She is also nominated for six more Grammys for the 2024 awards, including Album of the Year for GUTS and Song of the Year for “Vampire.”

Personal Life and Impact

Rodrigo’s personal life has attracted media attention, particularly regarding her relationships. She has been linked to several figures, including actor Joshua Bassett, who is widely believed to have inspired “drivers license,” and most recently actor Louis Partridge.

In 2021, Rodrigo graduated from high school and moved into her own apartment in Los Angeles. By 2023, she had relocated to New York City. Conscious of her impact on the environment, Rodrigo is an advocate for eco-friendly fashion, opting for sustainable brands, vintage clothing, and thrifted pieces.

Olivia Rodrigo continues to be a prominent figure in the music industry, inspiring countless fans with her authentic songwriting and bold career moves.