Olivia Rodrigo Addresses Backlash Over Babydoll Dress

"Being covered up in a childlike dress was deemed inappropriate, while revealing outfits were not."

Olivia Rodrigo has spoken out about the criticism she received for wearing a short puffy floral dress during a performance in Barcelona on May 8, 2025. In an interview with the New York Times' Popcast, she described the backlash as "disturbing" and argued that it reflects a deeper cultural problem.

Key Details

• Rodrigo wore the dress while performing "Drop Dead" at Barcelona's Teatre Grec.
• She noted that she has previously worn revealing outfits on stage without similar backlash.
• Rodrigo stated that the criticism reveals a normalization of pedophilia in culture, and criticized the rhetoric that blames women for being sexualized.

Background

Rodrigo is currently promoting her third album, "You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love," set for release on June 12, 2025. The album's lead single, "Drop Dead," was praised by the Guardian's Laura Snapes for its melody.

The babydoll dress style is associated with 1990s female punk musicians such as Kathleen Hanna and Courtney Love. Courtney Love later posted Instagram stories in support of Rodrigo.

Rodrigo described her new album as exploring lighter themes of joy, love, and passion—a departure from her previous emotional ballads and fiery songs.

Previous Incidents

• October 2024: Rodrigo criticized the White House for using her music in anti-immigration videos, calling it "racist, hateful propaganda."
• Touring: She has announced a fall US tour, with UK and Europe dates following in early 2026.