Olivia Rodrigo

Early Life

Olivia Isabel Rodrigo was born on February 20, 2003, in Murrieta, California, to Jennifer, a school teacher, and Chris, a family therapist. As an only child, she grew up in Temecula, California, where she was exposed to a rich cultural background, being half-Filipina and identifying as Filipino American. Olivia was born partially deaf in her left ear, a condition she discovered during kindergarten. Her early musical influences included alternative rock bands like No Doubt and Green Day, which shaped her artistic development. She began vocal lessons at age five and started songwriting inspired by Taylor Swift's country music by age 12.

Career

Rodrigo's career began in 2015 with her role as Grace Thomas in the film "An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success." She gained further recognition starring in Disney Channel's "Bizaardvark" from 2016 to 2019 and later in the Disney+ series "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series". In 2020, she signed with Geffen Records and released her debut single, "Drivers License," which became a massive hit, breaking streaming records. Her debut album, "SOUR," released in 2021, showcased her songwriting prowess and earned her multiple awards, including a Grammy for Best New Artist. Following this success, she released her sophomore album, "GUTS," in 2023, further solidifying her place in the music industry.

Personal Life

Rodrigo's personal life has been marked by her relationships with co-stars, including Ethan Wacker and Joshua Bassett. She has also been open about her experiences with partial deafness and her upbringing in a vegetarian household, although she no longer follows that diet. Olivia continues to draw inspiration from her diverse musical influences, including Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Alanis Morissette, as she evolves as an artist.