Source: Coup de Main Magazine
After the pandemic strikes, students lost many things and experiences—from traditional classroom set-ups, graduations, parties, and celebrations that supposedly were the highlight of their year. However, with the turn of events comes a closely worthwhile trade: the rise of teenage pop star Olivia Rodrigo, taking everyone on her journey of heartbreak, love, and acceptance.
Out of the blue, American actress, singer, and songwriter Olivia Rodrigo surprised everyone with her talent of voicing out the unspoken thoughts and entire experience of teenage melodrama. Starting from her rise as Nini-Salzar Roberts on Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and on other Disney shows, Olivia is bagging awards after another.
With her viral fame comes a phenomenal rise as an artist, breaking records after the other. To celebrate her success and reward the support of her supportive fans, Olivia Rodrigo released her concert film, Sour Prom, through live stream. The Youtube live stream aired last Tuesday night featuring her chart-topping debut album Sour with a dreamy vintage 1980s-inspired prom scenario. She handles the collection of break-up tunes in a pop-punk retro mini dress made of foil, ruffles, and extra-large bows. And leveling up on her iconic Dr. Martens shoes, Olivia wore a pair of black combat boots.
At the beginning of her Sour Prom, the pop phenomenon takes everyone on a limousine ride with a surprise mash-up of singles “Happier” and “Deja Vu.” Consequently, she led everyone on a dance floor, not as her dance partner but as her audience, while she smashed everyone’s heart while singing “Brutal” and “Traitor.” Olivia Rodrigo later strips herself with upbeat bitterness as she performs “Jealousy, Jealousy.” In a darkroom, “Enough for You” was all she was left to say, being gutted by heartbreak and reminiscing about the efforts to be accepted.
In recollecting the past, Olivia Rodrigo later brings everyone on the streets as she stages her first single, #1 Billboard Hot 100 breakthrough “Driver’s License” in a crushing phase of the break-up. And finally, on the verge of reality and a chaotic failed romance, accepting the reality of losing someone, “Good 4 U” are the words left to say goodbye.
Before the event proper, Olivia Rodrigo hosted a pre-party question and answer segment. This allowed the attraction of worldwide fans and warm-up for the Sour Prom night. In this segment, she responded to the most asked questions about album making.
The icon’s success in delivering visuals and vocals won not only the hearts of her loyal fans but also the rise of controversy. Courtney Love vocally expresses her frustrations after seeing imagery of Hole’s Live Through This album art. Love says, “Stealing an original idea and not asking permission is rude,” and remarks on wondering if Disney teaches its artists to steal ideas from others. This later followed other comparisons in posts from Twitter and TikTok, where users compare Olivia Rodrigo’s art style to US indie-rock band Pom Pom Squad.
Beyond the present claim of plagiarism, Olivia Rodrigo remains the century’s greatest breakthrough, topping charts in the US and UK. Her Sour Prom only sparked the anticipation of what’s ahead of Olivia as an artist, keeping everyone wondering what is next for her.
