3 Random Facts About Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo seems to be everywhere all at once. On her latest album, You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love, the 23-year-old star has reinvented her sound. Though if you are familiar with her first two (and excellent) efforts, Sour and Guts—and their sullen and confessional pop-punk rambles—the reinvention shouldn’t be too surprising. Certainly not as surprising as these random facts about Rodrigo that casual listeners may not already know.

Almost Sofia

Rodrigo told Cosmopolitan that she was almost named Sofia. “I actually feel like I kind of look like a Sofia,” she said. Though she also said she wanted to be named Natalie. Perhaps a touch, if not quaintly more pedestrian, for a pop star. Either way, Rodrigo bangers like “Drivers License” and “Vampire” would likely hit the same if they had been recorded by Sofia Rodrigo or Natalie Rodrigo.

A Massive Fan of The Cure

The pop-punk Rodrigo offered on her first two LPs may not scream goth, post-punk, or indie. However, the singer is a massive fan of The Cure. She’s performed on stage with Robert Smith, who also features on Rodrigo’s latest album. In fact, Smith’s appearance on “What’s Wrong With Me” is her first official collaboration. And there’s little chance one comes up with an album title like You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love without Smith’s sad epics as blueprints. (And forgive me, but I’ve just noticed the accidental pun in “blue” prints.)

I’m just staring at the ceiling,
Can’t describe this feeling I’ve got in my head,
I’m out of body in my bed.
And I’m just searching up my symptoms.

Sofia Coppola

Let’s end where we started—Sofia. Inspired by Sofia Coppola’s films, Rodrigo said she’s drawn to how the director “captures the female experience” without being “heavy-handed.” She mentioned two of Coppola’s films, The Virgin Suicides and Somewhere. Also, Coppola’s soundtracks have become as iconic as her films. Imagine a friend with great taste making you a mixtape loaded with the French bands Air and Phoenix. Rodrigo’s latest album, with its dramatic and vivid new wave, plays like film music, and her duet with Robert Smith wouldn’t be out of place in a future Coppola story.

Photo by Cindy Ord/VF26/Getty Images for Vanity Fair