Gen Zs Can’t Stop Talking About Olivia Rodrigo, and Parents Need to Know Why

A singer-songwriter recently had her first and sold-out concert in the Philippine Arena, and news about it continues to break the internet a few days later. Still, parents find themselves asking the same question:

“Who is Olivia Rodrigo, and why is she so popular?”

It’s time to turn the tables. Gen Zs fill in their parents who this superstar they look up to really is.

Gen Zs Can't Stop Talking About Olivia Rodrigo, and Parents Need to Know Why

Olivia Rodrigo is a multi-hyphenate Filipino-American Gen Z.

A quick Google Search on Olivia Rodrigo will yield results on her birth in Murrieta, California to a German-Irish mother and a Filipino father on February 20, 2003. She openly identifies herself as a Filipino-American, which instantly made her closer to the Livies (or how Olivia’s fans identify themselves).

Veena Villena, 21, a fourth year BS Administration student from UP Diliman and a Pinoy Livie, shares that she started to know Olivia in her Disney Channel days.

The fact that Olivia is Filipino and is my age easily made me feel connected with her. When she was still on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, it truly made me happy to see someone on screen who I saw so much of myself in. Veena Villena, 21

A Filipina, no less | Photo courtesy of Veena Villena

It was also through Disney Channel that Allysa Javier, 22, an AB Psychology student at DLSU, discovered the multi-hyphenate superstar.

She is a talented artist, from being an exceptional singer-songwriter, vocalist, and actress on Disney Channel. It’s impressive to see how she has successfully transitioned between these roles and gained widespread recognition. Allysa Javier, 22

Her vulnerable storytelling made Gen Zs see themselves in her music.

Often misunderstood and misjudged with their opinions and choices, Gen Zs would rather not open up with their elders at home or superiors at work. But they too need someone to talk to and process their emotions with, and Olivia’s songs fulfilled this purpose.

Olivia’s songs easily made their way to the Gen Z’s hearts. | Photo courtesy of Veena Villena

Olivia’s songwriting has allowed me to process my feelings and emotions, and deal with them. Her music has the ability to speak for myself when I struggle to find the words myself. I see so many parts of myself seen and validated not just through her Filipino blood, her age, and her music, but through her vulnerability and authenticity. Veena Villena, 21

Veena goes on to share that listening to some of Olivia’s songs like “Traitor” and “The Grudge” feels like Olivia took the words straight out of her journal. Meanwhile, Allysa notes that Olivia’s music is “deeply relatable” because it is able to “capture the intense, often unspoken pain that comes with various hardships.”

Her songwriting has built a deep connection with her fans by capturing the complexities of relationships, societal pressures, and the struggles of adolescence, which is often regarded as the most vulnerable stage of development. She is someone little girls can look up to as her music vividly captures the realities of growing up. Allysa Javier, 22

One of her favorites is Olivia’s song “Logical” because, in her words, it’s “the kind of track that feels like it sees right through you—piercing you straight through the heart.”

Her first concert in Manila is a dream come true for her as much as it is for her fans.

With more than 3 million heart reacts on Instagram so far, Olivia’s post for her GUTS World Tour in Manila – her first time in the Philippines and her biggest venue yet – is filled with gratitude for her Filipino fans. It’s a dream that came true for her and for her Filipino fans who only had to shell out ₱1,500 for a concert ticket regardless of seat.

The concert was scheduled for the day before my birthday, so there was no better way to celebrate than with friends who love her music just as much as I do. I've been a fan since she released Sour in 2021, so the chance to hear her live after spending the past three years playing her songs in my bedroom, where I spent most of my time coping with my struggles, was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. Allysa Javier, 22

Olivia’s concert was a pre-birthday celebration for Livie Allysa. | Photo courtesy of Allysa Javier

When we arrived at the Philippine Arena, we saw so many people wearing personalized sashes referencing the artist’s lyrics, along with outfits resembling the artist’s past costumes. Reading their sashes and seeing everyone’s creative outfits added to our excitement—it was clear that everyone had put so much time and effort into expressing themselves. Allysa Javier, 22

In line with her concert outfit, Veena shared that she doesn’t usually plan something grand to wear when she goes on concerts. It was a last-minute idea to get a customized sash in reference to Olivia’s “Obsessed” music video.

Wearing a sash was a last-minute outfit decision for Veena. | Photo courtesy of Veena Villena

I never expected that this idea would lead to one of the most unreal moments of my life. Olivia took my sash and wore it in front of everyone. It became all a blur for me and I could only really remember her looking back to my direction and thanking me for the sash. I was pretty much in disbelief that everything that ensued actually happened to me. It is such a weird feeling to have some of your dreams come true all in one night. Even until now, days after the concert, I am still on cloud nine. It has not fully sunk in yet that I shared a moment with one of my most favorite artists. Veena Villena, 21

Olivia spotted Veena holding the sash, asked for it, and wore it on stage. | Photo courtesy of Veena Villena

She is involved in causes bigger than herself.

It’s clear from both Veena and Allysa that Olivia Rodrigo made Gen Zs feel seen and heard, and it’s enough reason to make Livies waiting for more of her compositions.

But her influence doesn’t stop there. Through her GUTS World Tour in Manila concert, she will be able to help more girls and women have access to quality healthcare through the nonprofit organization Jhpiego, which made Livies extremely proud of their participation in the concert.

Olivia donated the proceeds of her Manila concert to improve the health of girls and women through Jhpiego. | Photo courtesy of Olivia Rodrigo on Instagram

When the opportunity came of seeing her perform all those songs that have helped through rough patches, I knew it was something I could never pass on. Not to mention, she went out of her way to create a special show for her Filipino fans through her silver star initiative and also decided to donate the net proceeds from it towards her Fund 4 Good. It is definitely an honor to be part of something this grand. Veena Villena, 21

Olivia Rodrigo’s name might not instantly ring a bell for parents. Her songs might not fall under Gen X and Y parents’ tastes and preferences. But she, along with the songs she writes, is a key to knowing how Gen Zs think and feel.

Olivia is the voice of the Gen Zs, and she may be the bridge that parents need to understand their children on a much deeper level.

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