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How Olivia Rodrigo became a pop-rock phenomenon
Gen Z idol Olivia Rodrigo has been turning her generation’s struggles into songs since 2021. Singer-songwriter, musician and actress, the 22-year-old star has emerged as the new hope of pop-rock, breaking streaming records along the way. Numéro reveals five things you need to know about the American singer, who will perform in Paris on July 18th, 2025.
By Erwann Chevalier.
American singer Olivia Rodrigo, 22, keeps asserting herself on the music scene. In June 2025, she lit up the Glastonbury Festival and even invited Robert Smith from The Cure to join her on stage. On July 18th, she will also perform at the Lollapalooza Festival in Paris. Throwback to the rise of this explosive pop-rock phenomenon.
Her hit Drivers License goes viral on TikTok
TikTok works wonders. Just a few seconds of a track used in a short video can launch a young artist’s career. Think of Lil Nas X with Old Town Road (2019) or Gayle with Abcdefu (2022), who both became full-blown viral sensations. The same happened with Californian singer Olivia Rodrigo, who skyrocketed to fame thanks to the app in 2021. That same year, she released the heart-wrenching Drivers License. The song explored the themes of lost love and teen emotional pain, which instantly resonated with younger generations on social media.
Within a week, 650,000 videos were posted using a snippet of the track co-written by Olivia Rodrigo and American producer Dan Nigro (known for working with Caroline Polachek and Kylie Minogue). Meanwhile, the music video was seen over 30 million times in just seven days and it has over 591 million views today. The single was also number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. From that moment, the singer-songwriter, musician, and actress’s career took a dramatic turn, from promising newcomer to real pop sensation.
A stellar debut album that broke every record
Just five months after releasing the track Drivers License, Olivia Rodrigo unveiled Sour in May 2021. This 12-track debut album includes the fiery Good 4 U and the outstanding Deja Vu. The record was met with massive acclaim and broke the record for the highest weekly streams in Spotify’s history, racking up no fewer than 385 million plays in the first seven days. The album also reached the top of the charts in many countries.
By the end of 2021, Sour was the second best-selling album of the year, just behind 30 by British singer Adele. 17 million copies worldwide, including 133,000 in France. The reasons of Olivia Rodrigo’s success? A 2000s-inspired aesthetic in sync with current trends, catchy melodies, lyrics that explore complicated love stories, and sleek music videos with a cinematic flair that are often directed by photographer Petra Collins.
The triumphant reception of her debut was likely to repeat itself with the release of her second album, Guts, on September 8th, 2023. Proof of this is Vampire. The first single was number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Her new project seemed to be just as strong as her first. Olivia Rodrigo’s edgy rock single Bad Idea Right? illustrated that too. In a press release about Guts, the singer declared: “For me, this album is about growing pains and trying to figure out who I am at this point in my life. I feel like I grew 10 years between the ages of 18 and 20. It was such an intense period of awkwardness and change. I think that’s all just a natural part of growth, and hopefully the album reflects that.”
Olivia Rodrigo won three Grammys in 2022 (and broke one)
It’s rare for a young artist to make waves with a few singles and one album only. Often dubbed an “industry plant” – a performer backed by a major label from the start but presented as an independent talent – Olivia Rodrigo has cemented her status as a Gen Z icon. A title underscored by Time, which named her “Artist of the Year” in 2021. The music industry quickly took notice. A year later, Olivia Rodrigo, who was 19 at the time, was invited to the 64th Grammy Awards. She was nominated in seven categories and won three Grammys that night – Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Pop Solo Performance.
Although she made a lasting impression during the ceremony, the singer also caused a stir during the official photo shoot with her trophies. Overflowing with joy and pride, the American star accidentally dropped one of her Grammys, which shattered on the floor in front of a stunned group of photographers. As a fun coincidence, Taylor Swift broke one of her Grammys the same way back in 2010. Could it be the sign of a brilliant future in music too?
The singer started her career at Disney
Disney Channel has launched many talents, from Miley Cyrus to Zendaya and Selena Gomez. Today, the American television network owned by the Walt Disney Company continues to scout new faces for the entertainment industry. Although Olivia Rodrigo now expresses herself through music, she was first discovered by Mickey Mouse’s house a few years earlier. In 2016, audiences met her bright and bubbly personality as she played Paige Olvera in the sitcom Bizaardvark.
After three successful seasons, the former child star landed the role of Nini Salazar-Roberts in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Broadcast on Disney+, this reboot of the iconic High School Musical franchise gave Olivia Rodrigo the opportunity to showcase her vocal talents. She gained significant exposure thanks the series, which opened many doors for her.
Olivia Rodrigo is a die-hard Taylor Swift fan
Like many Americans, Olivia Rodrigo is a die-hard fan of Taylor Swift. She has mentioned listening to other artists, like Lorde, Pearl Jam, No Doubt, or Green Day. But Taylor Swift is the one she admires most. She has even called herself “the world’s biggest Swiftie.” And the admiration is mutual, since the singer of Bad Blood publicly praised Olivia Rodrigo for the viral success of Drivers License.
In fact, when the young artist posted on Instagram that her single was “next Taylor on the us charts,” the superstar responded, “I say that’s my baby and I’m really proud.” Olivia Rodrigo has even said Taylor Swift is the reason she started writing songs. Although the tabloids have speculated about a feud, the two artists still seem to like each other a lot.
Olivia Rodrigo will perform at the Lollapalooza Festival in Paris on July 18th, 2025.
