Published on March 2, 2024, 1:29 am

At just 18 years old, pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo took the world by storm with her debut album. Known for chart-topping hits like “drivers license” and “good 4 u” from her album SOUR, Rodrigo quickly became a voice for Gen Z. However, much to the surprise of her primarily young female fanbase, over the summer when her stardom rocketed, Rodrigo took a turn from pop music to politics.

Before she burst onto the music scene in 2021 with SOUR, Rodrigo had already achieved modest fame through Disney Channel shows such as “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” in which she has been featured since 2019. But it was SOUR that transformed her into a true pop phenomenon. With its unflinching portrayals of high school life – right down to the angst – this album connected with countless young listeners around the globe.

But Rodrigo’s influence doesn’t stop within the realms of musical notes and lyrics; in July 2021 she made headlines for visiting the White House, endorsing COVID-19 vaccinations alongside Dr. Anthony Fauci and President Joe Biden. Many were delighted to see such an influential figure among youths advocate so openly for their health safety.

The promotion of vaccinations among teens was part of an elaborate strategy by the Biden administration to sway hesitant American citizens towards getting vaccinated—a strategy that employed popular influencers and celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo.

Beyond rallying support for COVID-19 vaccination drives, Rodrigo used another major platform—her live performance venue—to voice strong opinions about another highly debated issue: abortion. During a performance at Glastonbury in England, immediately following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v Wade., she dedicated one song as an outright rebuke aimed at members of Supreme court who supported this decision.

In recent times, Olivia Rodrigo has stepped up further than being merely vocally supportive: on announcing her soon-to-begin tour promoting her 2023 album, GUTS, she launched the ‘Fund 4 Good’. This venture aims to support girls’ education, endorse reproductive rights, and fight against gender-based violence. A part of the proceeds from the tour’s ticket sales will go towards this fund. In conjunction with this campaign, Rodrigo also aligned with the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF).

Unlike some former Disney starlets whose transitions to fame were marked by chaos and controversy – think Lindsay Lohan or Miley Cyrus – Rodrigo has managed her soaring stardom without succumbing to public scandals. While on an active contract with Disney during her SOUR release, she succeeded in relating to the turmoil of teenhood without navigating self-destructive paths. She managed both to do well in school and maintain enough freedom to express personal political views.

While Rodrigo may not see herself as a puppet for Disney—or anyone else—it is undoubted that her influence can be leveraged by others. Given her strong standpoints on issues such as vaccination and abortion rights—views which align closely with democratic values—her popularity among Gen Z fans could potentially translate into an increased liberal youth voter turn-out for upcoming elections.

Even compared with major influencers like Taylor Swift—who occasionally voices political views—Rodrigo’s brand seems steeped in progressive politics interwoven seamlessly with her pop music persona. By contrast, Swift’s earlier career appears conspicuously devoid of overtly political messages. As Olivia Rodrigo claims center-stage in today’s pop culture scenario, it seems clear that alongside grey clouds of youthful heartbreak this new heroine brings at least a few gusts of activism-minded wind.