I’m So Glad That Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan Have Each Other
In a new column that spotlights celebrity pairings—whether romantic or platonic—the focus turns to friendships that inspire hope for ordinary people navigating love. Historically, the path for a young female pop star has been fraught with pressure and rivalry. The early‑2000s “Britney versus Christina” narrative, for example, pitted two of the nation’s biggest female performers against each other in a way that felt more toxic than competitive. The enduring bond between Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan offers a refreshing counterpoint.
Rodrigo and Roan have been close since 2018. Both artists first collaborated with producer Dan Nigro early in their careers, and Roan later joined Rodrigo as an opening act on the 2022 Sour tour. Speaking on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in 2024, Rodrigo recalled their early days: “I used to go visit her when she worked at a donut shop before she got signed, before she put out any of her music. I used to go and eat donuts with her and hang out. I’m so happy for her, she deserves the whole world.” The shop in question is Donut Friend, located in Highland Park.
The pair recently teamed up on a remix of Rodrigo’s single “Expectations,” a catchy track that laments dating someone with a fake job. While discussing the song’s second verse with Zane Lowe, Rodrigo said Roan replied, “Oh my God, you need to start dating girls.” The line underscores Roan’s role as the friend who pushes Rodrigo to reconsider her romantic choices.
Beyond serving as Rodrigo’s “gay confidante,” Roan adds her own perspective to the song. Her verse points out that women, too, can present false personas and disappear without warning, describing the behavior as “classic LA behavior.” The collaboration demonstrates that both singers are channeling their dating frustrations into music rather than letting them define them.
As Rodrigo has noted in earlier work, the world can be brutal for young women trying to date, and the pressure only intensifies for those in the public eye. Observing Rodrigo and Roan lean on each other—whether they are writing songs, sharing donuts, or venting about being ghosted—highlights the genuine friendship that can thrive even amid fame.