Olivia Rodrigo is one of pop’s most promising new superstars. In the span of just two years, Rodrigo has transformed from a Disney actress into a household name, thanks to her vulnerable songwriting and killer melodies that make for pop-punk gold. Though she’s still growing as a performer, Rodrigo has delivered some lively performances since shooting to superstardom. Check some of them out below.
Videos by American Songwriter
5. “drivers license” at the 2022 Grammy Awards
Despite being a ballad, “drivers license” proved to have the ability to take on multiple forms when Rodrigo performed it at the 2022 Grammy Awards where she was named Best New Artist. Emerging out of a vintage white car, the superstar turned the stage into a lonely dark street made even more melancholy by the song’s dramatic lyrics. This performance is more theatrical than it is energetic, yet still proves Rodrigo’s potential as a live performer.
4. “good 4 u” at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards
Rodrigo was still a new artist when she took the stage at the 2021 VMAs to perform “good 4 u,” yet already showed promise as a live act. Full of sass and punk-rock attitude, Rodrigo rocks the stage with tons of energy, particularly as she runs along the crowd, high-fiving screaming fans. An explosion of purple confetti and balloons in the shape of hearts, stars, and butterflies, makes for a fun finale.
3. “ballad of a homeschooled girl” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
During her performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2023 promoting Guts, it was clear how Rodrigo had grown as a performer. Telling the story of the song through her facial expressions, Rodrigo goes into rockstar mode singing the deep cut, “ballad of a homeschooled girl.” With the music as her driving force, the young star lets loose and rocks out all over the intimate stage, making for one of the liveliest performances thus far.
[RELATED: A Beginner’s Guide to Olivia Rodrigo]
2. “Good 4 u” on Austin City Limits
Performing on Austin City Limits is a badge of honor for any singer/songwriter, and Rodrigo brought plenty of energy when she took to the intimate stage in 2021. The then 18-year-old strutted around the stage while belting out the angsty lyrics directed at an ex-lover. Rodrigo really comes to life during the song’s instrumental breakdown, spreading her arms like a bird with wings and prancing and head-banging all around the stage with her bare feet. It’s easily one of her most lively performances of one of her biggest hits thus far.
1. “vampire” / “get him back” at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards
Rodrigo’s performance of “vampire” and “get him back” off her latest album, Guts, was one of the most talk-about performances at the 2023 VMAs. The singer sits amongst a set laden with green leaves and trees as if she were alone in the forest before sparks start bursting behind her. She kicks it up a notch when transitioning to “get him back.” Flanked by pink-clad dancers, the singer puts her acting skills on full display and ends with plenty of head-banging and sparks flying, making for her most energetic performance to date.
(Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV)
