Olivia Rodrigo distributes condoms and morning-after pills at concerts: because she will be the next pop star

The road to the definitive consecration of pop star status for Olivia Rodrigo is still long, but a good part of the journey has certainly already been covered, despite only two albums under his belt and as many world tours including the latest one, which started just a few weeks ago and which will see her perform in the United States and Europe (it will arrive in Italy, in Bologna, on June 9th).

An important step was taken with the publication of his latest work Gutsmuch more mature both for the sounds and the themes covered, as well as for the more explicit and less sweetened language. And, to definitively shake off the label of “young singer-songwriter”, Rodrigo has decided to include an essential element in this new chapter of his career: activism. In fact, during one of his last concerts, he distributed a gift box containing two boxes of Juliean emergency contraceptive sold in the United States, condoms and cards with a QR code for information on the methods of abortion permitted in your state and where to go if you need medical or psychological advice.

In the United States, after the Supreme Court ruling of June 24, 2022, the right to abortion is no longer guaranteed at a federal level, leaving individual states to legislate on the matter. This has allowed some of them to greatly limit the cases in which it is foreseen, effectively banning it. In light of this situation, Rodrigo's gesture takes on decisive importance especially if we think of his fan base, made up of teenagers and post-teens, who are just recently approaching life and political commitment and is sensitive and open to discussion on certain issues that strongly affect daily life.

The interpreter of Vampire he has certainly understood that being a pop star is not just about dominating the record sales or audience charts on streaming platforms, walking the red carpets of the most photographed events or selling out his concerts. In recent years, it has mainly represented a reference for its fans who see in the artist they follow the person who dedicates himself to the causes that are closest to their hearts: from the rights of minorities, to gender empowerment up to sexual freedom or to pacifism. All the pop stars who, in recent decades, can boast this “title” are ambassadors of specific instances: just look at Taylor Swift or Beyoncé or even Lady Gaga or Miley Cyrus. Their role was built with the awareness that music can be a vehicle for important messages.

Olivia Rodrigo, therefore, will not be just a meteor in the firmament of former Disney starlets. The singer is increasingly aware of herself, her media influence and her abilities. Furthermore, she never stops looking to the future with the certainty of wanting to be an artist destined to last a long time.