Olivia Rodrigo’s heartfelt journey: from childhood dreams to arena stages

Reflecting on a touching past

During her GUTS World Tour, the concert film “Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour”, which debuted on Netflix, features an adorable clip from Olivia Rodrigo’s childhood. In the heartfelt footage, a young Rodrigo performs passionately for her stuffed animals. Reflecting on this, she shares, “It makes me really emotional. My mom can’t watch that part without crying.”

Making dreams come true

For Rodrigo, these childhood memories are a testament to her lifelong dream of performing. “Watching those videos brings me so much joy,” she says. “It has always been my dream, as evidenced by those home movies of me putting on shows to my stuffed animals. I’m really grateful that it happened this way and that I get to live out my dream every night. It’s really special. I’m a very lucky girl.”

The success of GUTS and the growth of a star

Rodrigo’s sophomore album, GUTS, released in September, catapulted her into even greater success, doubling the shows she played during her 2022 SOUR Tour. Transitioning from intimate theaters to grand arenas like New York City’s Madison Square Garden and the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, where the Netflix special was filmed, marked a significant turning point in her career.

Bringing the concert experience to fans

One of Rodrigo’s main motivations for releasing the concert film on Netflix was to include fans who couldn’t attend her live performances. “That’s what’s really exciting about putting this on Netflix — people who couldn’t get a ticket now have the chance to watch it,” she explains. “This movie shows different perspectives and angles, making it fresh and exciting even if you’ve seen the show before.”

Insights and experiences from the tour

From theaters to arenas

Reflecting on the transition from theaters to arenas on her recent tour, Rodrigo describes the experience as “wildly different.” She explains, “My two tours aren’t even comparable. The SOUR Tour was super intimate and great for cutting my teeth in touring, but this tour was massive, and I played in venues I’d never been to before. It definitely stretched me as a performer, and I learned a lot, gaining more confidence as the shows went on.”

Diverse band and powerful performances

One notable aspect of Rodrigo’s touring band is its inclusion of female, trans, or non-binary musicians, a tradition carried over from her first tour. “I love girl bands,” Rodrigo states. “Growing up loving rock music, I was influenced heavily by bands like Sleater-Kinney, Hole, and Babes in Toyland. Going on tour, I wanted to recreate that environment for myself.”

One of her favorite songs to perform live is “Pretty Isn’t Pretty” from GUTS. Describing the process of writing it, she says, “I had been thinking of those lyrics for so long. After multiple tries, I finally articulated what I wanted to say. It’s not a hit song, but I look out and see people really feeling every lyric. It makes performing that song very meaningful.”

Universality of music and diverse audiences

Rodrigo finds joy in seeing the diverse age groups at her concerts. “It’s so fun to see 30- and 40-year-olds singing along,” she says. “Music is so universal, reminding us how alike we all are. Concerts show that in real life.”

Writing with authenticity

Rodrigo believes in writing from a place of honesty and vulnerability, hoping that this resonates with her audience. “If you write from a place of honesty, most people will likely relate to it. That’s my theory.”

Fond memories and new performances

“Enough for You” from the SOUR album holds a special place in Rodrigo’s heart. “I wrote that song by myself in my bedroom. It captures a specific insecurity I felt at the time. While I no longer feel that way, it’s a beautiful time capsule of my 17-year-old self.”

Collaboration with Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan’s appearance in the concert film added a special touch. “She’s been a huge part of the GUTS world tour,” Rodrigo shares. “We met through producer Dan Nigro, exchanging sessions at his studio. She has background vocals on some of my songs from SOUR and GUTS. I’m so happy to see her getting the recognition she deserves.”

Navigating fame and giving advice

As more artists gain recognition, Rodrigo offers advice, reflecting on her own experience in 2021. “It’s important to remember that the things giving you purpose probably aren’t charts or awards. Keeping that mindset makes you a happier, more grounded individual.”

Balancing songwriting and self-care

Rodrigo finds solace in songwriting, which she likens to self-care. “It’s like journaling or calling your therapist. Writing songs helps me feel sane and human. I try not to put pressure on creating something for a large audience right now. I’m having fun with it.”

Grammy nomination and future collaborations

This year, Rodrigo was nominated for best rock song at the Grammys alongside iconic bands like The Rolling Stones and Foo Fighters. “Being included in that category as a younger woman was very exciting. It meant a lot.”

Rodrigo dreams of collaborating with Gwen Stefani. “I’ve always wanted to write a song with Gwen. Performing with her at Coachella was amazing. She’s the ultimate cool girl and so versatile. Nobody does it like her.”

First-time voter and future aspirations

Excited about her first presidential election, Rodrigo shares, “I cast my vote via mail-in ballot and proudly wore my sticker all day. It’s a super important election, and I hope everyone, especially people my age, get out there and vote.”

Reflecting on a potential return to acting, Rodrigo expresses interest in non-music-related roles. “I’d love to stretch a new muscle and do something different. The future is bright.”

Rodrigo’s journey from performing for stuffed animals to selling out arenas is truly inspiring. Check out the Netflix special for a closer look at her remarkable story. Share your thoughts and follow us for more updates on your favorite artists!