Olivia Rodrigo on finding her artistic identity: 'I want to be proud of what I make'
Synopsis
Despite one of the fastest rises in modern pop, Olivia Rodrigo says she has never been good at making 'consumable' music — and she is fine with that. In a candid Pitchfork interview tied to her new album, the 23-year-old frames artistic pride, not chart position, as her true north. It is a quietly radical stance for an artist of her commercial scale.
Key Takeaways
Olivia Rodrigo , 23 , says she is still figuring out 'what type of artist' she wants to be, in a Pitchfork interview.
Her latest album, 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' , was released earlier this month.
Rodrigo admits she has 'never been really good' at making trend-driven, highly consumable pop music.
She says her ultimate goal is to make music she is 'really, really proud of', adding that 'everything else sort of feels hollow' without that.
The singer also shared that she feels like the 'best version' of herself when in London .
Singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo has opened up about a deeply personal creative reckoning — figuring out exactly what kind of artist she wants to be. Speaking to Pitchfork, the 23-year-old said the question has grown sharper as she has matured, even as her star has risen at a remarkable pace.
The Question She Is Wrestling With
Rodrigo, who released her latest album 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' earlier this month, told Pitchfork: 'I've had to reckon with exactly what type of artist I want to be, and I think as I get older and my brain gets more developed, it becomes a little clearer, but I just think I'm maybe not that type of artiste.'
The admission is striking given the scale of her commercial success. Rodrigo has been one of the defining pop voices of her generation, yet she describes herself as someone still in the process of self-discovery — both personally and professionally.
Why She Does Not Chase the Charts
Rodrigo is candid that she does not feel naturally wired for the kind of omnipresent, trend-first pop that dominates streaming charts. 'There's certain times where I really envy that ability to just be so present in the zeitgeist and make the thing that people want, that is, like, so consumable. There's such an art to that, and I appreciate that, but I don't think that I've ever been really good at it,' she said.
Instead, she says her compass is pride in the work itself. 'I try to keep that at the forefront of things, I'd so much rather make a record that told a story that I was really, really proud of that said something that I was dying to get off my chest. But the ultimate goal is to make something you're proud of, everything else sort of feels hollow if you don't have that,' Rodrigo added.
Artistic Integrity Over Viral Moments
The remarks signal a deliberate pivot away from the metrics-first logic that increasingly shapes the music industry. For an artist who broke through with 'drivers license' — one of the fastest-streamed debut singles in history — choosing storytelling over chart positioning is a notable public stance. Critics and fans have noted that her songwriting has always leaned confessional and literary, and her latest release appears to deepen that tendency.
Notably, this comes amid a broader industry conversation about whether streaming algorithms are narrowing the creative ambitions of young artists. Rodrigo's comments suggest she is consciously resisting that pull.
A Personal Note: London as Her Best Self
Away from the studio, Rodrigo recently shared that she feels like the 'best version' of herself when she is in London — a detail that hints at the personal geography shaping her evolving creative outlook. The singer has spent considerable time in the city, and it appears to have become something of a creative and emotional anchor.
As Rodrigo continues to define her artistic identity on her own terms, her latest album and these candid reflections suggest an artist deliberately choosing depth over dominance — a bet that her most loyal listeners seem ready to take with her.
Point of View
Not self-questioning. What makes her remarks worth taking seriously is the context: a new album, a Pitchfork platform, and a deliberate rejection of the algorithmic playbook. The music industry's streaming economy rewards consistency and trend-chasing; Rodrigo is publicly opting out of that logic. Whether that translates into a longer, more critically durable career — or costs her the casual listener base she built with 'drivers license' — is the real question her next cycle will answer.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Olivia Rodrigo say about her artistic identity?
Rodrigo told Pitchfork that she has had to 'reckon with exactly what type of artist' she wants to be, and that the picture becomes clearer as she gets older. She acknowledged she does not feel naturally suited to making highly consumable, trend-driven pop music.
What is Olivia Rodrigo's new album?
Her latest album is titled 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love', released earlier this month. The record appears to continue her confessional, storytelling-led approach to songwriting.
Why does Olivia Rodrigo say she does not chase chart success?
Rodrigo said she would rather make a record that tells a story she is 'really, really proud of' than chase what is popular. She added that without that sense of pride, 'everything else sort of feels hollow.'
Where does Olivia Rodrigo feel most like herself?
Rodrigo recently shared that she feels like the 'best version' of herself when she is in London, suggesting the city holds personal and creative significance for her.
Why are Olivia Rodrigo's comments significant for the music industry?
Her remarks come amid a broader debate about whether streaming algorithms are narrowing artists' creative ambitions. As one of pop's biggest names, Rodrigo publicly choosing artistic integrity over chart metrics carries weight and reflects a growing tension between commercial logic and artistic autonomy.
