Olivia Rodrigo is feeling “SOUR.”
Rodrigo confessed on Audacy’s The Julia Show that she fought to keep the pivotal phrase “fame f—er” in the chorus of her new hit single “Vampire,” while co-writer Dan Nigro pushed her to take it out.
“Some people said, ‘It kind of isolates you from people, you can’t really say things like that in song, it’s not relatable’ —yada, yada, yada,” Rodrigo revealed.
However, the “Drivers License” singer took the wheel in the end.
The song, which took a bite out of the Billboard Hot 100 after being released on June 30, centers around an ex-boyfriend bleeding Rodrigo dry of her star status and using the relationship to their advantage.
Fans are stuck between two men “Vampire” could allegedly be about.
Some are being led to believe the song is about her ex Zack Bia. The then DJ, 26, allegedly dated Rodrigo, who was 19. Others believe the age gap she references in the song is pointing to her dating producer Adam Faze, 24, when she was 18.
“I think the song isn’t about fame f—ing, I think it’s more about someone being manipulative and sucking you dry, using you for all you’re worth,” Rodrigo said. “I think that’s a universal theme, and I also think fame is more easily accessible now than it has ever been. It’s not just people in LA and Hollywood that have to deal with that.”
Coming seven years after she gained recognition as a Disney star and two years after her first album debuted, “Vampire” is “really special” to Rodrigo as the single paving the way for her upcoming album “Guts.”
“It’s a step forward and hints at everything that’s to come in the next album,” she said.
“I feel a lot more sure of myself now,” Rodrigo continued. “I feel sure of who I am and what I want to do and what I want to say and the people I want to surround myself with… I’m still figuring lots of stuff out and thoroughly confused about lots of other aspects of life, but I’m definitely getting clear on more things.”