Olivia Rodrigo has publicly shut down years of fan speculation about tension with Sabrina Carpenter, calling the narrative “clickbaity” in a new interview. Speaking to British Vogue, Rodrigo clarified the nature of their relationship, stating, “I think she’s great. I’m so happy for all of her success too. I love the album she’s put out.”
The comment marks one of her most direct responses to rumors that have circulated since early 2021. Rodrigo added, “It’s just people just get weird and clickbaity – it’s all love, though. I’ve talked to her many times,” pushing back against a storyline that has long framed the two artists as rivals.
That narrative dates back to the release of “drivers license,” Rodrigo’s breakout single from Sour, which debuted in January 2021 and went on to top the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. Lyrics referencing a “blonde girl” quickly fueled speculation linking the song to Carpenter, amid reports involving actor Joshua Bassett. The situation intensified when Carpenter released “Skin” weeks later, with lines widely interpreted as a response, triggering online fan divisions that escalated beyond the music itself.
Years later, the dynamic appears to have shifted significantly. Both artists have moved into distinct creative phases, with Carpenter achieving major commercial momentum through her recent releases (Short n’ Sweet and Man’s Best Friend) and Rodrigo continuing to evolve beyond the Sour and Guts eras. Public interactions have also softened perceptions, including a widely circulated moment at the 2025 Grammy Awards where the two were seen greeting each other.
Rodrigo’s latest comments arrive at a moment of renewed attention around her next move. In recent days, fans have pointed to subtle but coordinated updates across her online presence, including a redesigned official website that moved from the darker Guts aesthetic to a brighter pink color scheme. The visual change was quickly interpreted as a signal of a new era taking shape.
Offline clues have added to the speculation. Over the weekend, fans in London documented a heart-shaped lock installation painted in pink with the word “April” engraved on it, sparking immediate theories about a potential release window. Images circulated rapidly, fueling expectations that new music could arrive sooner than anticipated.
Leave a Reply