By Eili Cordova
“Vampire” singer Olivia Rodrigo has spoken out again about the constant speculation surrounding her relationship with Taylor Swift. In a recent interview on The New York Times’ “Popcast” podcast, Rodrigo calmly responded to questions about the supposed distance between the two artists.
During the conversation to promote her upcoming third album, “You Seem Reasonably Unhappy for a Lady So in Delight in,” Rodrigo was asked how she deals with public scrutiny, like when she was photographed leaving the same Paul McCartney concert in Los Angeles as Swift in March. His response was direct:
“I don’t know. I don’t read much into this. I think it comes with the territory and is the norm. If I immersed myself in all the online detectives who are right or wrong about my life or my relationships, I would go crazy. There just isn’t enough time in the day.”
The “Drivers License” singer confirmed the hypothesis of co-host Joe Coscarelli, who suggested that the viral frenzy of her first big hit forced her to develop a tolerance for rumors.
“I had to disconnect to literally be okay”he explained. “It’s such a crazy experience for everyone involved. I’ve learned to disassociate myself from people who don’t know every little detail of my life. If you don’t, you go crazy,” he said.
About his alleged feud with Taylor Swift
Regarding claims that there is a “frost” or tension between her and Swift, Rodrigo downplayed the matter: “I don’t know. I tried not to let it get to me. I’m just trying to move on. There’s no use dwelling on it. It was so long ago.”.
The 23-year-old artist added that her focus remains on making songs she loves, being kind and supporting others. “At the end of the day, I think that’s all you can do,” he said.
Rodrigo has repeatedly cited Swift as one of his main influences. In fact, interpolated elements of “New Year’s Day” (2017) into his song “1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Again”crediting Swift and Jack Antonoff. Later, he also gave credits to Swift and Antonoff in “Deja Vu” due to similarities with “Cruel Summer season”, and added St. Vincent. He also credited Paramore’s Hayley Williams and Josh Farro for “Impartial Appropriate 4 U” due to its similarity to “Distress Industry.”
In 2023, Rodrigo confessed to Rolling Stone that that situation left her “a little disconcerted.” “It was very confusing, and I was green, with bright eyes and a bushy tail. It wasn’t something I was very involved in. It was more team on team.”
In The New York Times podcast, when asked about those “musical loans” that caused her problems, Rodrigo responded philosophically: “It’s a very hard moment, personally, but I’m a fan. I love music, and no one can take it away from me. It sounds corny, but I feel very lucky to be able to do what I do.”.
This is not the first time that Rodrigo addresses the topic. In 2023 she already told Rolling Stone: “I don’t have problems with anyone. I’m very calm. I stay out of it. I have my four friends and my mother, and those are the only people I talk to.”
He also declined to confirm whether his hit “Vampire” was inspired by Swift. “I was very surprised when people thought that,” he told The Guardian that same year.
Continue reading:
· Olivia Rodrigo shines as host and musical guest on “Saturday Night Stay”
· Olivia Rodrigo announces “The Unraveled Tour” with 65 concerts in North America, Europe and the United Kingdom
· Olivia Rodrigo announces her third album: “You Seem Reasonably Unhappy for a Lady So in Delight in”
