Olivia Rodrigo talks 'Guts', 'Vampire' and dealing with the pressure of her second album
She joined Fleur East and James
Last updated 18th Aug 2023
The past two years have been massive for Olivia Rodrigo, who has released her debut album 'Sour' to critical acclaim, as well as having success with 'driver's license', 'good 4 u' and her Disney+ documentary driving home 2 u.
Now, following the success of her debut album, Olivia has opened up about the pressure of releasing her second album 'Guts' and and whether being a Twilight fan influenced her decision to write 'Vampire'.
Speaking on Hits Radio Breakfast, to Fleur East and James Barr, Olivia opened up about the pressure she put on herself to write the follow-up to 'Sour'.
"Making this album definitely had its ups and downs," Olivia explained. "And there were some days where I'm just like, wow, the pressure is just insurmountable. I just feel, I don't know what I'm gonna do., and other days where it was really fun and, you know, had a great time.
"But uh, you know, I think at the end of the day, the most important thing, it sounds like so cheesy and cliché, but I just wanted to make an album that I really liked and felt really proud of."
The singer, who admitted she has a very small social group, of just three friends and her parents, revealed that despite having worldwide success, she has also found that some things don't change.
"Yeah, I mean, it's a weird dichotomy," Olivia said. "Because it's like, my life is completely different in every way, but also like exactly the same and I hang out with the same three people and just the right songs in my living room.
"I have like three close friends and like my parents, and that's like, social circle. And I like it that way."
During the chat Olivia was also asked about her recent hit 'Vampire' and whether the name came about because she's a fan of Twilight, but it turns out it didn't.
"I love like the concept of a vampire. And it's like such a cool word to me. And so I had that title written and like the Notes app on my phone under my, you know, Title List section of my phone for a while. And I just was sitting at the piano one day, and I started playing those chords and I got that song," Olivia told us.
Like many celebs, Olivia doesn't follow anyone on Instagram, so Fleur wanted to know what it was like not to follow anyone. Olivia admitted it was "very self indulgent and strange".
Olivia also joined us on For The Record, where she broke down the writing process of 'Vampire', she told us how an ice cream trip with friends inspired her to write the song, with influences from 90s girls.
When is Fleur East on Hits Radio?
Olivia joined Fleur East on Hits Radio Breakfast, you can catch Fleur and the team on every weekday 6am to 10am.
You can hear songs by Olivia Rodrigo on Hits Radio.
Take a look through Olivia Rodrigo's amazing career:
2016 - Olivia played Paige Olvera in Bizaardvark
Disney Channel series Bizaardvark starred Olivia as Paige Olvera, one of two best friends who post funny songs and videos on the internet. Olivia appeared in three series of the TV show between 2016 and 2018.
2019 - Olivia stars in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Back in 2019, Olivia took on the main role of Nini Salazar-Roberts, a musical theatre enthusiast, in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Olivia also wrote the song 'All I Want' for the TV show.
2021 - Olivia released 'Drivers License'
'Drivers License' was Olivia's first single and it went to Number 1 around the world. The song, which was written by Olivia and Dan Nigro, has been nominated for many awards including two MTV Video Music Awards which it won for Song of the Year and Push Performance of the Year. The song has also been nominated for three Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance.
2021 - Olivia released 'Deja Vu'
Olivia's second single 'Deja Vu' was another commercial success. Again, the song was written by Olivia along with Dan Nigro. Taylor Swift and two other songwriters also get a songwriting credit as it interpolates Taylor's song 'Cruel Summer'. In September 2024, the single was certified 2x Platinum.
2021 - Olivia released 'Good 4 U'
Once again, a song co-written by Olivia had commercial success. 'Good 4 U' was nominated for several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Music Video.
2021 - Olivia meets Presient Joe Biden
Olivia Rodrigo met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The singer was involved with efforts to promote Covid-19 vaccinations with young people in the US.
2021 - Olivia is nominated for seven Grammy awards
Olivia Rodrigo received seven Grammy nominations including four in the big categories, best album, best new artist, record of the year and song of the year, for 'Drivers License'.
In response to her nominations, Olivia took to Instagram saying: 'woke up this morning to 7 Grammy nominations. when I was younger, my family lived a few blocks from the staples center, where the Grammys took place every year. I would always walk outside the arena and look at the plaques on the ground with all the winners names in wide eyed wonder. i went to the Grammy museum so many of my free weekends bc I was so fascinated by the history of the show and all of the incredible musicians that made it up. many dreams have come true for me this year but this one is probably the most meaningful. thank you to everyone who has believed in me and supported the songs I write. and thank you to @recordingacademy for the recognition. I'm beyond humbled. truly a day I will never forget. so grateful aghhh❤️💜❤️💜' (sic)
2022 - Olivia wins her first BRIT Award
A year after making her debut UK performance at The BRIT Awards 2021, Olivia picked up her very first BRIT win! At The BRIT Awards 2022 with Mastercard, Olivia bagged herself the award for International Song of the Year, for her track 'Good 4 U'.
2022 - Olivia Rodrigo won three Grammys
In 2022, Olivia also won three Grammy awards, Best Pop Vocal Album for 'Sour', Best New Artist and Best Pop Solo Performance for 'driver's license'.
The singer also performed at the prestigious awards ceremony.
2022 - Olivia reflects on one year since 'Sour' release
Olivia Rodrigo took to Instagram one year on from the release of her debut album 'Sour' to reflect on her amazing achievements and thank fans for their support. She also shared a video, where she said: "This past year, it's been a lot of career milestones, but I'm freshly 19 and there's so many things that I'm learning and just normal teenage milestones that I'm going through."
2022 - High School Musical TV series confirms Olivia's exit
In July 2022, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series creator and showrunner Tim Federle confirmed that season three would be Olivia's last on the show, saying: "I think she's ready to explore the world outside the halls of East High."
He continued: "And Olivia herself was having such a monumental explosion in the music industry that it felt like the right thing to, frankly, work with Olivia to say, 'How do we get you out there into the world with us taking a little bit more of a backseat?', which we were all proud to do to support her."
Olivia's role will be phased out throughout the third season of the Disney+ show, with Tim adding: "This season it's about trying to give her character a proper send-off while also leaving room for other characters to really step into the fray and step into the spotlight."
2022 - The 'Sour Tour' comes to the UK
Olivia set out on her 'Sour Tour' in April 2022, with shows coming to the UK in July. First heading to Glasgow on 2nd, she then went to Manchester on 3rd and Birmingham on 4th, before rounding up her tour with two shows at London's Eventim Apollo on 6th and 7th.
2023 - Comeback song 'Vampire'
Olivia Rodrigo announced her comeback song 'Vampire' would be released on 30th June. Teasing the date on her socials, with a countdown on her website, the song was a certified hit upon it's release. Peaking at Number 2 in the UK Singles Chart, the song was also certified Silver in August 2023.
2023 - Olivia Rodrigo releases a song from The Hunger Games soundtrack
Olivia Rodrigo has now released her song 'Can't Catch Me Now', which features on the soundtrack for the upcoming prequel of The Hunger Games titled: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
2024 - Olivia Rodrigo receives two BRIT Award nominations
Olivia Rodrigo received two BRIT Award nominations when they were announced on Wednesday 24th January, she is up for International Artist of the Year, and International Song of The Year ('Vampire').
2024 - Olivia Rodrigo announced for American Express presents BST Hyde Park 2025
Olivia will be headlining American Express presents BST Hyde Park 2025 on 27th June with special guests The Last Dinner Party and girl in red. These gig will be Olivia's biggest UK gig to date!
Now read:
Olivia Rodrigo announces the tracklist for 'Guts'
Olivia Rodrigo's rise to fame: From Disney Channel to Grammy Awards
Olivia Rodrigo's new song 'Vampire' is out now 🧛♀️