Unless you’ve been living under a rock this week, you’ve probably been hearing about the meteoric success of Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single, “Drivers License,” and you’ve most likely heard the song on every single feed you’ve scrolled through.
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Well, now the Disney actor turned pop sensation is taking on a music career and opening up about how she released her now No. 1 song on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Rodrigo’s success has been backed by her already established fan base with her involvement in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and the social media gossip that surrounds the franchise. Plus, with the help of fans bolstering the new song on TikTok and a seal of approval from Taylor Swift, who wrote “I say that’s my baby and I’m really proud,” Rodrigo was primed for success.
Additionally, the stark new ballad strays from the typical bubblegum pop that has become standard fare for a pivoting Disney star and perfectly encapsulates elements of bedroom pop struck with sophisticated pangs of folk and indie rock. The influences of Lorde, Billie Eilish, Phoebe Bridgers, and folklore era Swift ooze out the texture and tone of Rodrigo’s 18-year-old voice.
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During an interview with an account on YouTube that updates subscribers about the happenings of the stars in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, HSMTMTS Updates Olivia also candidly shared about her budding working relationship with Niall Horan. The singer explains that when she was younger she was a devoted One Direction fan saying, "I used to write like, One Direction fan-fiction when I was in middle school. Just like the cheesy, 'Oh, Harry proposes to you!' Stuff like that, I was that die-hard of a fan."
Rodrigo also explains that since her success with “Driver’s License,” Niall has offered a helping hand when it comes to navigating her new success. "The fact that [Niall] reached out to me was amazing… We've actually been texting and he's like, giving me advice on all of the craziness in the music industry, so it's been really amazing."
Watch Olivia talk about the budding friendship and more above.
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