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Olivia Rodrigo Slams “Disturbing” Babydoll Dress Controversy
Olivia Rodrigo isn’t holding a grudge over her hearing difficulties.
In fact, the “good 4 u” singer is comfortable using her partial deafness as a punchline, as she did while referencing her new song “what’s wrong with me” from her third album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.
"There's quite a lot that's wrong with me," Rodrigo said during a June 4 appearance on KISS FM UK’s radio show. "I'm actually like, 60% deaf in my left ear. So, if you were to sit on this side of me and try to tell me a secret, I couldn't make out what you were saying."
The 23-year-old quipped, "So, if you tell me a secret, go right ear."
While it may be shocking for fans to learn that a Grammy-winning singer can’t fully hear out of one ear—Rodrigo herself has acknowledged that “it’s kind of unusual”—it’s actually a condition she’s been navigating since childhood.
“I never knew until kindergarten or so when they're doing the tests on all the kids, and they were like, ‘Oh, you're a little hard of hearing,'" she told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023. "It's interesting."
Nevertheless, she displayed her signature wit at the time, too.
"One of my friends is this great photographer, Petra Collins, and she has really bad vision,” the singer continued, “so we always joke that I make music because I have bad hearing, and she takes photos because she has bad vision."
Of course, Rodrigo is no stranger to rising above obstacles. Indeed, after bursting onto the scene with her 2021 single “Drivers License,” she surrounded herself with people she could trust to help her navigate a new phase of life.
Randy Holmes/Disney
"I'm taking it one step at a time. It can be really tough on your mental health, though," she told Vogue Singapore in that year. "I'm grateful for the people who like me for me, and keep me separated from all the noise and tabloids or what people are saying about me on social media."
"It's funny how recognition changes everything and also changes nothing in your life," she continued. "The problems I was having a year ago are still the problems I'm having now, and things that brought me joy a year ago are still the things that bring me joy now. It's just another aspect of life that you need to learn how to deal with, but it doesn't change who you are as a person."
For a look back at Rodrigo through the years, keep reading…
Xavi Torrent/Getty Images for Spotify
May 2026: Spotify Billions Club Live Barcelona
To kick off her You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love era, the "Drop Dead" singer sported a babydoll dress by Generation78. Shortly after the show, the outfit sparked criticism online, which Olivia later called "distrubing."
"It just shows how we really normalize pedophila in our culture," she admitted in an interview with The New York Times’ Popcast podcast in May 2026. "It’s this rhetoric we’re fed as girls since we’re so little, which is, ‘Don’t wear that because then a man is going to sexualize your body and it’s your fault.’ Like, it’s so weird.”
Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images
February 2024—July 2025: The Guts World Tour
Seeing Olivia live is always a good idea, right? The "Vampire" singer kicked off each show of her world tour in a sparkly set by Michael Schmidt Studios.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
December 2024: Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences' 14th Annual Governors Awards
Everyone needs a little black dress. The grunge goddess went sophisticated for the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences' 14th Annual Governors Awards in Los Angeles.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
December 2023: Variety Hitmakers Brunch
Florals for winter is actually groundbreaking. The "Get Him Back" singer went with a simple floral mini for an afternoon outing in Los Angeles.
Araya Doheny/WireImage
March 2022: "Olivia Rodrigo: Driving Home 2 U (A Sour Film)" Premiere
For the premiere of her Disney+ film, Olivia naturally stole the show with her pretty-in-pink look from the label FANCí, complete with edgy black gloves and baby bow details.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
March 2022: iHeartRadio Music Awards
Embracing the signature color of SOUR, she wrote a purple corset dress to the award show, where she picked up multiple trophies, including for female artist of the year. The Versace outfit was complete with black leggings for a punk feel.
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
March 2022: Billboard Women In Music Awards
Olivia sported a white Area corset dress with black platform boots to accept her award for Woman of the Year.
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
February 2022: The BRIT Awards
In addition to walking away a winner, the singer walked the red carpet in a metallic Alexandre Vauthier Spring 2022 Couture dress.
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
December 2021: Variety Hitmakers Brunch
For the star-studded event, Olivia rocked a Calvin Luo Spring 2022 black sheer mini-dress featuring a green bow paired with black platform Mary-Janes.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
November 2021: American Music Awards
Making her AMAs debut, Olivia wowed in a sequined lilac halter gown designed by David Koma, complete with a feathered bottom. As her dress was slightly see-through, the singer wore high-waisted briefs underneath and silver heels.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
September 2021: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Opening Gala
Olivia attended the museum's opening wearing a sultry custom black strapless, slit detail dress from the Saint Laurent Spring 2020 collection.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images
September 2021: Met Gala
Olivia slayed the red carpet in a black lace jumpsuit with feather details by Saint Laurent, styled with dramatic diamond dangle earrings and Saint Laurent platforms.
Rob Kim/FilmMagic
September 2021: MTV Video Music Awards
Before performing at the VMAs, Olivia walked the red carpet in an orange strapless Versace Spring 2001 Couture gown with a contrasting fuchsia tulle panel draped over it.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Spotify
July 2021: Happier Than Ever: The Destination Celebration
Olivia Rodrigo supported her pal Billie Eilish at the event wearing a cool custom two-piece look from Gonzo.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
July 2021: The White House
As she with met President Joe Biden, Olivia wore a Chanel Spring 1995 multi-colored pink tweed skirt which was accessorized with Justine Cenquet earrings, a black Amina Muaddi bag and white Giuseppe Zanotti platforms.
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images
May 2021: The BRIT Awards
Olivia popped in a bright yellow Dior Pre-Fall 2021 tulle bustier gown accessorized with a black belt, Dior heels and Shaun Leane jewelry.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
November 2019: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Premiere
Olivia had a modern-day princess moment, pairing a white tee by Rebecca Minkoff with a black beaded ballgown skirt.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
August 2019: Disney+ Showcase and Presentation
Olivia looked perfectly polished in white turtleneck, burgundy pants and metallic sandals as she took part in the event Disney's D23 EXPO.
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
October 2018: Chinese American Film Festival Opening Ceremony and Golden Angel Awards Ceremony
Olivia brought the glitz and glam to the red carpet, wearing a L.B.D. featuring a sheer neckline and long sleeves, styled with strappy sandals and red lip.
Rob Latour/Shutterstock
June 2018: Incredibles 2 Premiere
For the animated premiere, the "good 4 u" singer wore a black and white polka dot spaghetti strap camisole paired with green tailored trousers. She completed the look with chunky platforms sandals.
Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock
June 2018: Radio Disney Music Awards
Olivia shined in a sequined top and pink pants paired with neutral-colored platform sandals
Leon Bennett/Getty Images
December 2017: The Actors Fund's Looking Ahead Awards
Olivia looked sweet a blush pink cocktail dress featuring a ruffled neckline, paired with nude strappy sandals.
Mediapunch/Shutterstock
November 2017: Coco Premiere
Olivia stunned in a red flutter sleeve dress with a ruffle hem, styled with red lace up pumps.
Rob Latour/Shutterstock
October 2017: Thor: Ragnarok Premiere
Olivia looked lovely in a frilly black dress with lace panels and gem details.
Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock
May 2017: Everything, Everything Screening
Olivia had fun mixing prints for the film screening.
Broadimage/Shutterstock
May 2017: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Premiere
For the Disney premiere, Olivia wore a romantic lace midi-dress from Topshop paired with metallic heels.
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
April 2017: Radio Disney Music Awards
Looking fun and fresh, Olivia arrived wearing a red-and-white striped ruffled jumpsuit with red and blue heels.
David Buchan/Shutterstock
June 2016: Finding Dory Premiere
Olivia looked adorable paring a floral-embroidered skirt from SheIn with a black top.
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
May 2016: Alice Through The Looking Glass Premiere
Olivia understood the assignment, arriving to the premiere in a flirty floral minidress from Urabn Outfitter's Alice Through The Looking Glass collection, paired with strappy blue heels.
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