Unveiling the Heartbreak: The Untold Struggles of Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo’s rapid rise to fame is a story filled with challenges. Despite coping with a hearing impairment, she burst into the music scene at just 18 years old with her hit single “Drivers License” in January 2021. This sudden fame brought significant stress, which she managed with extensive therapy sessions. The success of her album “Sour” not only affected her but also those close to her, particularly causing distress in her rumored relationship with Joshua Bassett, leading to his hospitalization due to online bullying from fans. The immense pressure to recreate “Sour’s” success with her next album weighed heavily on her mind.

As she worked on her follow-up album, Rodrigo struggled with self-doubt, but her second album, “Guts,” ultimately received critical acclaim. Interestingly, not everyone recognized her fame: during a border crossing, a customs officer mistook her for a wanted criminal, highlighting the contrasts in her life at such a young age. Through it all, she has proven to be resilient, navigating the complexities of early stardom.

Olivia Rodrigo, despite her hearing challenges, has shown that talent can transcend physical limitations. Born with a hearing impairment in her left ear, she discovered this condition during elementary school screening. This has not hindered her career; she adapts by positioning herself in interviews to favor her hearing ear. Rodrigo remains upbeat about her disability, often joking with friends about their respective conditions.

Additionally, Rodrigo experiences synesthesia, where she associates colors with sounds. For her, different songs create vivid visual experiences, enhancing her musical creativity. For instance, she describes “Drivers License” as purple and “Good 4 U” as a mix of purple and blue. This unique perception adds a distinctive layer to her art.

During her “Guts” tour in 2024, Olivia faced an unusual and stressful situation at the US-Canada border. When her tour bus was stopped, a federal officer wrongly suspected her of being a criminal. Initially thinking he might want her autograph, she quickly found herself in an interrogation room. Amid the confusion, she reassured the officer that she hadn’t been arrested before, adding to her anxiety as he pressed her for information.

After half an hour of questioning, the officer realized he had confused her for someone with a similar name, Olivia Rodriguez. Relieved yet frustrated, she couldn’t help but express her feelings on the incident, confirming that, thankfully, her record remains clean.

At just 12, Olivia Rodrigo began her acting career with Disney Channel. By the age of 17, she gained immense popularity with her hit single “Drivers License.” During these pivotal teenage years, she faced various life-altering experiences, which understandably took a toll on her. Realizing the importance of support, she started therapy at 16 and has since found it invaluable.

Years later, Rodrigo reflects on her therapy experience as a key factor in maintaining her mental well-being amid sudden fame. In a 2023 interview with Mix 104.1 Boston, she expressed gratitude for being in therapy for an extended period, emphasizing its life-enhancing benefits. She aims to destigmatize the notion that therapy is only for severe mental health issues, asserting its effectiveness in preventing smaller problems from escalating. “Therapy has significantly improved my life, making me happier and more grounded,” she noted.

Additionally, Rodrigo has learned valuable lessons about mental health from fellow artists. Artist Chappell Roan has provided her with essential advice on self-care in an overwhelming industry. “She offers me tremendous guidance on how to be authentic and take care of myself,” Rodrigo shared with Billboard.

Olivia Rodrigo’s rise to fame through “Drivers License” introduced unexpected challenges in her personal life. While the attention was anticipated, the level of scrutiny took her by surprise. Following the song’s release, the public became curious about the heartbreak that inspired it, leading to speculation about her ex-boyfriend, Joshua Bassett, who starred alongside her in “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.”

In the midst of the controversy, Rodrigo withdrew from social media to escape the overwhelming situation. Conversely, Bassett faced immense pressure, dealing with severe backlash and threats, which escalated his stress. “I was sleeping around 16 to 20 hours daily,” he revealed to People in 2022. He later described feeling as though his health was deteriorating, saying, “I literally felt my heart failing.” The severity of his condition was confirmed when he was diagnosed with septic shock, a situation that he was told could have resulted in his death had he delayed seeking medical help. Rodrigo expressed her shock at the tumultuous events surrounding “Drivers License,” describing it as an intense initiation into fame.

After achieving monumental success with her debut album “Sour,” Olivia Rodrigo felt the pressure to deliver an equally impressive follow-up. While she aspired to avoid being labeled a one-hit wonder, the expectation to replicate her initial success weighed heavily on her progress for her second album, “Guts.”

Initially, Rodrigo found that her worries about public perception overshadowed her creative expression. “In the beginning, I struggled to write without worrying about how others would react,” she shared in a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone. There were moments of frustration where excitement to create turned into tears at the piano. To navigate her newfound fame and its pressures, Rodrigo decided to take a more measured approach. Opting for smaller venues over large arenas, she kept her personal life at a slower pace, deliberately avoiding the wild party scene often associated with rising stars. “Slowing down was my approach to handling everything,” she reflected in her interview with The Guardian.