Though Olivia Rodrigo recently kissed her GUTS era goodbye with a world tour and string of headlining festival sets at Lollapalooza, Governors Ball, and Osheaga, she gave her beloved Livies one last hurrah thanks to American Express.
The Grammy winner brought her punk-infused pop hits to New York City’s Park Avenue Armory on Thursday, October 23, for an exclusive Platinum Night Out performance, open only to American Express Platinum and Business Platinum Card members. She traded her hardcore headlining vibes for a more stripped-back approach, reimagining hits like “favorite crime” and “vampire” as intimate confessionals that remained wildly in touch with her emotions.
And it wasn’t just Platinum Card Members in the crowd either: Cosmopolitan cover girl Ashley Park, Oh, Hi! star Molly Gordon, and Queer Eye’s Jeremiah Brent were some star–studded attendees who witnessed O-Rod’s return to the stage. Of course, the chic delicacies of Olivia’s intimate show had to be earned. Leading up to the show, NYC-based Livies embarked on a scavenger hunt across NYC, which included QR codes and cryptic clues that led to tickets for the select fans who found them.
Olivia called Cosmo up with details ahead of her performance, as well as some solid dating advice and what girlhood means in her 20s. Oh, and did we mention? She’s definitely seen your theories about OR3...and she’s ready to debunk a few.
What inspired you to have fans go on a scavenger hunt throughout New York City leading up to your concert with American Express?
I thought it was something fun for them to do. They were taking selfies in the mirror [across the city], and I just like adding some fun childlike element to things.
You’re one of the most gifted songwriters we’ve had the pleasure of listening to over the years. Do you switch up your songwriting process when you’re touring? What’s that creative process like?
On tour, it’s actually really difficult for me to write songs. I have so many friends who can grab their guitar in any random dressing room and write a great song, but I’ve just never been that way. I always find that I’m the most inspired when I can be at home and feel really grounded and comfortable in my surroundings.
I didn’t write a ton of stuff that I think will make it into the world while I was on tour. I love writing to get my thoughts out, but I’m not sure any of it was really good. I’ve really been doing most of the meat and potatoes in my writing at my house in L.A.
Speaking of creativity, your fans have come up with some incredible theories based on your work and some potential Easter eggs you’ve dropped. What’s the craziest one you’ve seen? Are there any you want to debunk?
Oh my gosh! I see a bunch of album title theories all the time, which is so fun. The latest one I saw was that it was going to be called CARD, and I was like, “Oh, that’s a fun idea but definitely not going to be the case.” But I love seeing people’s theories and them connecting all of these dots. It makes me happy that people care about the album enough to postulate and think about things.
There are so many good ones! I’m curious if you’ve ever seen a fan theory and thought, Huh, I might use that one day.
I totally do! People are so smart, and sometimes, I see something and I’m like, “Wow, that’s a really great idea.” You guys are so creative. We should hire some of these girls on TikTok—they’re amazing.
Your songs have played such a role in so many personal journeys, especially when it comes to heartbreak, girlhood, and growing up. How does that make you feel, and what does girlhood mean to you?
It absolutely floors me to think about that. When I’m standing onstage at a concert, the honor is not lost on me to look out and see so many young people—young girls, in particular—who I feel so connected to and who feel connected to my music. We share this beautiful bond, even if we’ve never met face-to-face. I know I’ve grown up listening to so many artists, mentors, friends, and people in my life who’ve guided me along the way, so to think that I could be a tiny part of someone else’s journey is so beyond me and such an honor.
When I think of girlhood, I think of the strength of my female friendships and how beautiful, rewarding, and loving they are. The bond that I have with my female friends is the strongest, most sincere type of love I’ve felt in my life.
Cosmo is all about love and relationships, so I have to ask…what’s something you’ve learned about love that you’d go back and tell your younger self?
I would’ve told 17-year-old me—and I guess I give this advice to my friends, too—is that you really have to be yourself from the very beginning of the relationship. Otherwise, it always comes to the surface and creates a conflict if you’re not 100 percent yourself.
Back in the day, me and my friends would tailor our personalities to whatever person we liked at the time. It just never works out—it leaves everyone feeling confused and sad. Be wholly, entirely yourself, even if you think it’s a little cringe. The right person won’t think it’s cringe.
Parts of this interview have been edited and condensed for clarity.
