If you’ve ever found yourself humming “Drivers License” and wondered what’s real about Olivia Rodrigo’s life, you’re not alone. The singer revealed in a June 2026 interview that she is about 60% deaf in her left ear, a condition she has managed since childhood. Between chart-topping albums, public relationships, and plagiarism accusations, separating confirmed facts from internet speculation can be a challenge. This article gathers verified information about her health, relationships, and controversies from reliable sources.
Full name: Olivia Isabel Rodrigo ·
Born: February 20, 2003 (age 22) ·
Occupation: Singer-songwriter, actress ·
Debut album: Sour (2021) ·
Grammy Awards: 3 wins ·
Known for: Drivers License, Good 4 U, Deja Vu
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with hearing loss and tinnitus (People (entertainment news))
- Partial hearing loss in left ear, not a disability (E! News (entertainment))
- Dated Joshua Bassett (2020-2021) (PAPER (culture magazine))
- Linked with Louis Partridge since 2023 (The National Desk (news syndicate))
- Plagiarism accusations on “Good 4 U” (PAPER (culture magazine))
- Added songwriting credits to Paramore and Taylor Swift (The Hollywood Reporter (industry news))
- Debut album “Sour” (2021) won Grammy for Best New Artist (People (entertainment news))
- Second album “Guts” (2023) followed by world tour (The National Desk (news syndicate))
Eight key facts sum up the basics about Olivia Rodrigo.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Olivia Isabel Rodrigo |
| Date of birth | February 20, 2003 |
| Place of birth | Temecula, California, USA |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter, actress |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Genres | Pop, rock, alternative |
| Labels | Geffen, Interscope |
| Notable awards | 3 Grammy Awards, 7 Billboard Music Awards |
What medical condition does Olivia Rodrigo have?
Hearing loss and tinnitus diagnosis
Olivia Rodrigo has been open about her hearing loss. In a June 2026 interview on KISS FM UK, she said she is about 60% deaf in her left ear (People (entertainment news)). She first learned about the partial hearing loss during hearing tests in kindergarten (People (entertainment news)). Rodrigo also experiences tinnitus, a ringing sensation in the ear.
Rodrigo’s hearing condition is a permanent medical issue, not a disability. She manages it with awareness and treatment, but it does not stem from a specific recent event.
Official statements from Olivia Rodrigo
In December 2023, Rodrigo told The Hollywood Reporter she was “half-deaf in my left ear” (The Hollywood Reporter (industry news)). She also joked with photographer Petra Collins about making music because of bad hearing (E! News (entertainment)). The condition affects only her left ear; she once told listeners to use her right ear for secrets (E! News (entertainment)).
While some fans speculated that her song “What’s Wrong With Me” is about her hearing loss, a June 2026 report clarifies that the lyrics are not tied to her medical condition (WSET (local news)).
Why is Olivia Rodrigo half deaf?
Cause of hearing loss
Rodrigo’s partial deafness is not linked to a single incident. She told People that she learned about it in kindergarten hearing tests (People (entertainment news)). The exact cause—whether a benign tumor, genetic factor, or other reason—has not been confirmed by Rodrigo or her representatives in available sources. The term “half deaf” comes from her own description to The Hollywood Reporter in 2023 (The Hollywood Reporter (industry news)).
No authoritative medical report or specialist statement has been published about the tumor claim that circulates online. The cause of Rodrigo’s hearing loss is not fully documented in any primary source.
Impact on her music career
Rodrigo has not indicated that her hearing loss affects her ability to perform or record. She continues to tour and release music, with her second album “Guts” dropping in 2023 and a world tour in 2024–2025 (The National Desk (news syndicate)). The implication: the “half deaf” label raises unnecessary alarm—the reality is a mild, partial hearing loss that has not stopped one of pop’s most productive artists.
Who did Olivia’s ex leave her for?
Relationship with Joshua Bassett
Olivia Rodrigo dated actor Joshua Bassett from roughly 2020 to 2021. They met on the set of Disney’s “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” After their breakup, rumors swirled that Bassett moved on with singer Sabrina Carpenter (PAPER (culture magazine)). Rodrigo’s debut album “Sour” was widely interpreted by fans to address this love triangle, especially tracks like “Drivers License” and “Deja Vu.”
Sabrina Carpenter connection
The speculation that Bassett left Rodrigo for Carpenter has never been confirmed by any of the three parties. However, the narrative became a major topic on social media and was covered extensively in entertainment press (PAPER (culture magazine)). Carpenter and Bassett have not publicly addressed the claim in detail, leaving the triangle in the realm of fan theory. The pattern: Rodrigo channeled this personal pain into chart-topping songs, turning rumor into revenue, though the actual details of who left whom remain unverified.
Are Olivia and Louis still together?
Relationship timeline with Louis Partridge
Olivia Rodrigo was first romantically linked to British actor Louis Partridge in 2023. The two have been seen together at public events and outings in Los Angeles and London (The National Desk (news syndicate)). Partridge, known for the “Enola Holmes” films, has not commented extensively on the relationship.
Current status
As of early 2025, multiple entertainment outlets report that Rodrigo and Partridge are still together (The National Desk (news syndicate)). Neither has officially confirmed a long-term commitment, but they continue to appear as a couple in paparazzi photos and fan sightings. The pattern: Rodrigo’s relationship with Partridge is more private than her previous one, which may reduce tabloid drama—but also leaves room for speculation about the future.
What was Olivia Rodrigo accused of?
Plagiarism allegations
Olivia Rodrigo faced multiple plagiarism claims after the release of “Sour.” The most prominent involved “Good 4 U,” which listeners compared to Paramore’s “Misery Business” (PAPER (culture magazine)). Rodrigo later added Hayley Williams and Josh Farro as co-writers on the track. Similarly, “Deja Vu” drew comparisons to Taylor Swift’s work, leading to a credit amendment (PAPER (culture magazine)). A 2023 report indicated that Taylor Swift and Paramore each received 50% of publishing for the songs in question (The Hollywood Reporter (industry news)).
Adding credits is not an admission of guilt; it can be a settlement strategy. Still, for an artist who built a reputation on original songwriting, the pattern raises questions about creative independence.
Crediting disputes
In 2021, Courtney Love accused Rodrigo of copying the “Sour” album cover visuals (YouTube (user content)). This claim came from a social media post and has not been substantiated. More recently, in 2026, VICE reported that Rodrigo faced new accusations after an album-cover reveal for a project described as “you look pretty sad for a girl so in love” (VICE (media outlet)). The VICE article notes that the accusations are again unconfirmed. The pattern: the plagiarism controversies have been partly resolved through legal credit adjustments, but they continue to shadow her releases.
Timeline
- 2003 – Born in Temecula, California.
- 2015–2019 – Acting career on Disney Channel and Disney+ (People (entertainment news)).
- 2020 – Released debut single “Drivers License” (PAPER (culture magazine)).
- 2021 – Released album “Sour”; won Grammy for Best New Artist (People (entertainment news)).
- 2023 – Released second album “Guts”; revealed hearing loss diagnosis (The Hollywood Reporter (industry news)).
- 2024–2025 – Guts World Tour; relationship with Louis Partridge (The National Desk (news syndicate)).
Rodrigo’s career accelerated rapidly, and each milestone brought new personal challenges and public scrutiny.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Olivia Rodrigo has hearing loss and tinnitus (People (entertainment news)).
- She dated Joshua Bassett (PAPER (culture magazine)).
- She added songwriting credits to Paramore and Taylor Swift (The Hollywood Reporter (industry news)).
- She is in a relationship with Louis Partridge (The National Desk (news syndicate)).
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of hearing loss (benign tumor claims are unverified).
- Whether she and Chappell Roan kissed (fan speculation, no reliable source).
- Full details of plagiarism settlements beyond credit amendments.
Quotes
“I’m about 60% deaf in my left ear.” – Olivia Rodrigo, KISS FM UK interview, June 2026 (People (entertainment news))
“I think it’s a joke that we have, that I make music because I have bad hearing and she takes photos because she has bad vision.” – Olivia Rodrigo on photographer Petra Collins (E! News (entertainment))
“Olivia added Hayley Williams and Josh Farro as co-writers on ‘Good 4 U’ after fans noticed similarities to ‘Misery Business.'” – Report from PAPER magazine (PAPER (culture magazine))
Summary
Olivia Rodrigo’s story—from childhood hearing loss to chart dominance and relationship intrigue—is a mix of documented facts and persistent rumors. The confirmed medical condition is a manageable partial deafness, not a career-ending disability. Her plagiarism disputes have been settled with credit adjustments, but the creative debate continues. For fans and media consumers, the verdict is clear: rely on verified sources like People and The Hollywood Reporter, or get lost in the speculative noise of social media.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Olivia Rodrigo’s most famous song?
“Drivers License” remains her biggest hit, breaking streaming records upon its 2020 release (People (entertainment news)).
How many albums has Olivia Rodrigo released?
Two: “Sour” (2021) and “Guts” (2023).
What awards has Olivia Rodrigo won?
3 Grammy Awards, 7 Billboard Music Awards, and multiple other honors (People (entertainment news)).
Is Olivia Rodrigo still acting?
She acts occasionally but focuses primarily on music. Her last major acting role was in Disney’s “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.”
What is Olivia Rodrigo’s net worth?
Estimated at $15–20 million by various entertainment outlets, though her exact net worth is not publicly disclosed.
Does Olivia Rodrigo write her own songs?
Yes, she is the sole or primary writer on most of her tracks, often collaborating with producer Dan Nigro.
What inspired Olivia Rodrigo’s album ‘Sour’?
Rodrigo has said the album was inspired by her personal experiences, including a breakup and the emotions of her late teens.
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Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.