Olivia Rodrigo Has Addressed Past Backlash & There’s A Lesson To Be Learned Here

The words “overnight success” have perhaps never been as prevalent as they are in the world of the internet.

We’ve seen it with TikToker Charli D’Amelio who gained more than five million followers in less than a week of starting her account.

And Olivia Rodrigo went from being known to only High School Musical: The Musical: The Series stans to pretty much the whole world after releasing her debut single, driver’s license.

WATCH: Olivia Rodrigo’s brutal music video

Most of the time with viral successes, a lot of love is showered over them at first (except if you’re couch guy). But with higher visibility comes less room for error – or at least, that’s what the internet would have us believe.

In a recent interview for Teen Vogue, Olivia, 18, confessed that the idea that she is “not allowed to make any mistakes” is a “really terrifying thought”.

Olivia has already made “mistakes” in the eyes of many, having faced backlash after telling V Magazine the music industry was very white-washed while she was growing up. People then suggested that her comments were erasing the likes of Beyoncé and Rihanna.

Other criticism that has been thrown at the young star includes accusations of plagiarism when it comes to her music, with many slamming the singer for relying too much on other artists for her own discography.

The singer-songwriter interpolated her music idol Taylor Swift’s New Year’s Day on her song 1 step forward, 3 steps back. She later added Taylor, writer and producer Jack Antonoff, and St Vincent to her sophomore single déjà vu’s credits. Later still, she included Paramore’s Hayley Williams and ex-guitarist Josh Farro to the credits of good 4 u.

Olivia spoke about both instances of backlash to Teen Vogue, explaining that it is upsetting when things are “taken out of context”.

With regards to the white-washed music industry comments, the popstar clarified that she meant she was happy to be empowering young Filipino girls like herself.

As for the plagiarism drama, Olivia said she thought it was “disappointing” to see people “discredit any young woman’s work”.

Some might say: ‘Well, she’s a public figure, she needs to be open to criticism’.

Sure, people need to be held accountable when necessary. But swinging the pendulum so far one way when someone slips up doesn’t seem like the most helpful thing to do.

Because she has a platform, Olivia is observed more than most and simultaneously held to a higher standard.

We’re not saying holding celebrities accountable is a bad thing. It’s often crucial. And, we get it, people want their faves to do the right thing.

WATCH: Olivia Rodrigo’s good 4 u music video (Article continues after video)

But an endless slew of Tweets, a lot of which are severely lacking in context, doesn’t seem all that productive – particularly when they are hell bent on “cancelling” someone.

Bear in mind, Olivia went from relative fame to a worldwide sensation practically overnight. She is navigating the spotlight for the first time as an 18-year-old. And even she admits she is terrified to make a mistake now.

Her newfound status puts her on a pedestal. One that can be viewed all around the world and that leaves little room to mess up.

But, hey, she’s a human. We all make mistakes. Or say the wrong thing. Or have our words taken out of context.

We just don’t all have those words plastered around the internet for everyone to see and cast judgements upon.

Let’s respectfully hold our faves accountable, but also exercise compassion in the process.

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