The new pop-punk princess

Olivia Rodrigo appears in the center of the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. She wears her long, naturally curly hair, almost untouched. Her simple yet trendy makeup and an outfit featuring black fishnet stockings (a trend she revived) make her stand out as the new princess of pop-punk as she begins singing her hit, Bad idea, right?. With a visually powerful stage production, that includes her characteristic purple color, a minimalist yet impactful set design and a series of costume changes that reflect her versatile and unique style, Rodrigo storms with a strong voice.

From the comfort of your home, thanks to Netflix, Olivia Rodrigo's passion, dedication, and rebellious spirit transcend any screen. Born in 2003, Rodrigo developed an interest in music and acting at a young age, becoming a "Disney girl" at thirteen by starring in the series Bizaardvark and later High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, where she showcased her musical talent.

Thanks to her amazing voice and talent on the piano and guitar, Rodrigo burst onto the music scene in 2021 with her single Drivers license, a heartbreak ballad that quickly threw her to global fame. Those who witnessed this rising star used to match her career to Taylor Swift, with jokes online about Taylor being Olivia’s musical "mother" (Olivia has admitted multiple times that Taylor Swift is one of her biggest inspirations when writing songs). However, her more punk and alternative musical style that differs from Taylor has led her to dub as “the new Avril Lavigne.”

With raw and direct lyrics that address themes like heartbreak, social pressures, anxiety, and identity seeking, Olivia Rodrigo released her debut album SOUR, quickly cementing herself as one of the most significant artists of the Gen Z. Each song in the album shows a blend of melancholy and empowerment, elements that have come to define her style. In GUTS, her second album, Olivia explores even deeper into these themes, showing a darker, more mature side and highlighting social and mental health issues.

Visually, Olivia Rodrigo perfectly embodies Generation Z aesthetics. Her clothing and style are a mix of 2000s nostalgia (also known as Y2K), grunge influences and a modern punk touch. Through her music and stage presence, she creates a space where young people can feel understood and, at the same time, inspired.

Another key aspect of Olivia Rodrigo as a Gen Z figure is her ability to manage her social media authentically and humorously, without exaggeration or superficiality. Her interactions on platforms like Instagram and TikTok show her as she is, unfiltered, often sharing funny anecdotes and life experiences. One very important highlight recently has been her political stance in 2024. A percentage of tickets sold for each show goes to a nonprofit organization supporting reproductive health, education, food, and culture for women who have suffered gender-based violence. With the U.S. presidential elections, unlike other artists, she was very vocal about her vote and interviewed an SA survivor for TikTok about the importance of upholding Roe v. Wade in light of the massive abortion restrictions in the United States.

Olivia Rodrigo is a powerful voice for Generation Z, capturing their concerns, hopes, and frustrations in each lyric and performance. At just 21 years old, with a career ahead of her, she is already shaping up to be one of the most important artists of the century.