Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift’s relationship has been a mix of highs and lows. Rodrigo, a self-proclaimed diehard fan of Swift, received a handwritten note and personalized gifts from Swift after her debut single “Driver’s License” hit No. 1 on the charts in January 2021. Swift seemed to be becoming a mentor to Rodrigo, but things took a turn when listeners noticed similarities between Rodrigo’s second single “Deja Vu” and Swift’s “Cruel Summer.” Swift and Rodrigo haven’t publicly addressed each other since, despite Rodrigo’s earlier admiration for Swift’s lyrics.
Rodrigo has been a longtime fan of Swift, even performing covers of her songs before finding success with her own music. Rodrigo and her friend Conan Gray helped tease the re-release of Swift’s song “You Belong With Me” in April 2021 with a TikTok video. When Rodrigo’s song “Driver’s License” charted below two of Swift’s songs, Swift showed her support by commenting on social media. The two finally met in person at the Brit Awards in May 2021, where they posed for a photo.
However, their friendship hit a snag when Rodrigo’s debut album Sour was released, with disputes arising over credits for interpolations of Swift’s songs in Rodrigo’s music. Swift was eventually credited on Rodrigo’s second single “Deja Vu” due to accusations of plagiarism and copyright infringement. Despite this, Swift was seen singing along to Rodrigo’s performance at the 2024 Grammys and they both showed support for each other’s work.
Rumors circulated that Rodrigo’s song “Vampire” was about Swift, suggesting a falling-out between the two. Rodrigo denied these claims, stating that she prefers not to reveal the inspiration behind her songs. Fans also speculated that Rodrigo’s song “The Grudge” from her second album Guts could be referencing the copyright issue with Swift. Despite these uncertainties, both artists have continued to express support for each other’s music.
Swift and Rodrigo have demonstrated surprising similarities in their lyrics, with some songs drawing comparisons due to wordplay and themes of revenge and relationship dynamics. While their relationship may have faced challenges, they have also shown admiration and support for each other’s work. Their journey together as artists continues to evolve, with both Swift and Rodrigo making waves in the music industry with their unique voices and storytelling abilities.
