Olivia Isabel Rodrigo (born February 20, 2003) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She gained recognition in the late 2010s with her lead roles on the Disney television programs Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. After signing with Geffen and Interscope Records in 2020, Rodrigo released her debut single Drivers License, which broke various records and became one of the best-selling songs of 2021, propelling her to mainstream fame. She followed it up with the singles Deja Vu and Good 4 U, and released her debut solo studio album, Sour (2021), which was met with critical and commercial success, winning various accolades including three Grammy Awards. A Disney+ documentary, Olivia Rodrigo: Driving Home 2 U, chronicling her creative process with Sour, followed in 2022. Rodrigo has achieved three Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, one Billboard 200 number-one album, and five multi-Platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In addition to other recognitions, she has won an American Music Award, seven Billboard Music Awards, and three MTV Video Music Awards. Time named her the 2021 Entertainer of the Year, and Billboard named her Woman of the Year in 2022.
Olivia Isabel Rodrigo was born on February 20, 2003, at Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta, California, the only child of school teacher Jennifer and family therapist Chris Rodrigo. She grew up in neighboring Temecula. Rodrigo is Filipino American by ethnicity; her father is of Filipino descent, while her mother has German and Irish ancestry. She has stated that her paternal great-grandfather emigrated from the Philippines as a teenager, and her family follows Filipino traditions and cuisine.
Rodrigo showed an early interest in music and performing arts. She started taking vocal lessons in kindergarten and learned to play the piano soon after. At the age of six, she began taking acting and singing classes, and she started acting in theater productions in elementary school. By age 12, Rodrigo was already playing the guitar. She was influenced by her parents’ favorite alternative rock music, such as the bands No Doubt, Pearl Jam, The White Stripes, and Green Day.
Rodrigo’s passion for songwriting developed after listening to country music, especially singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Inspired by Swift’s storytelling abilities, she began writing her own songs. Rodrigo moved to Los Angeles after landing her role on the Disney series Bizaardvark. Before her television debut, she appeared in an Old Navy commercial. At the age of twelve, Rodrigo made her acting debut in the lead role of Grace Thomas in the direct-to-video film An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success.
In 2016, Rodrigo gained recognition for starring as Paige Olvera, a guitarist, in the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark, a role she played for three seasons. In February 2019, she was cast in the starring role of Nini Salazar-Roberts on the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, further establishing her acting career.
Despite her success as an actress, Rodrigo’s true talent as a singer-songwriter emerged with the release of her debut single Drivers License. The song quickly gained widespread popularity, breaking numerous records and topping charts worldwide. Its emotionally raw lyrics resonated with listeners, catapulting Rodrigo into superstardom.
Following the success of Drivers License, Rodrigo continued to dominate the music industry with the releases of Deja Vu and Good 4 U, both of which achieved great commercial success and critical acclaim. In May 2021, Olivia Rodrigo released her highly anticipated debut studio album, Sour. The album showcased her versatility as an artist, blending various genres like pop, alternative rock, and indie pop, and cemented her status as a formidable musician.
Sour received widespread acclaim from critics, praising Rodrigo’s introspective and relatable lyrics, remarkable vocal range, and ability to capture raw emotions. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned three number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Sour’s success led to Olivia Rodrigo receiving three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, along with numerous other accolades.
In addition to her musical accomplishments, Rodrigo has also made an impact as a role model and inspiration to her fans. Her authenticity, vulnerability, and empowering message have resonated with a generation of young people. Through her music and platform, she has addressed topics such as heartbreak, mental health, and self-discovery, allowing her listeners to feel seen and understood.
Olivia Rodrigo’s impact on popular culture has been undeniable. She has become a voice for her generation, using her platform to shed light on important social issues and advocating for positive change. With her immense talent and unwavering dedication to her craft, Rodrigo has solidified her place as one of the industry’s most promising young artists.
Awards:
– Grammy Awards:
– Best New Artist (2022)
– Best Pop Vocal Album (2022) – Sour
– Song of the Year (2022) – Drivers License
– American Music Award:
– Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist (2021)
– Billboard Music Awards:
– Top Female Artist (2022)
– Top Streaming Songs Artist (2022)
– Top Song Sales Artist (2022)
– Top Hot 100 Artist (2022)
– Top Billboard 200 Album (2022) – Sour
– Top Streaming Song (Audio) (2022) – Drivers License
– Top Selling Song (2022) – Drivers License
– MTV Video Music Awards:
– Song of the Year (2021) – Drivers License
– Best New Artist (2021)
– Push Performance of the Year (2021) – Drivers License