Olivia Rodrigo Says Babydoll Dress Backlash Reflects Harmful Sexualization of Young Women

Olivia Rodrigo has responded to criticism over her recent choice to wear babydoll dresses, saying the backlash reflects harmful attitudes toward young women.

Speaking on the New York Times Popcast, Rodrigo said some people accused the look of being “childlike” and inappropriate after she wore the dresses in her “Drop Dead” music video and at a Spotify Billions Club Live concert. She argued that the reaction was unfair, especially since she has previously worn more revealing stage outfits without similar criticism.

Rodrigo said the controversy shows “how we really normalize pedophilia in our culture” and criticized the idea that women and girls are responsible for how others sexualize them. She added that the dresses were inspired by 1990s rock musicians Kathleen Hanna and Courtney Love, not by any attempt to appear provocative.

“I felt cool and comfortable in it,” Rodrigo said, adding that she wants younger girls to feel free to dress without fear of being judged or sexualized.

The interview comes ahead of Rodrigo’s third album, “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,” which will be released on June 12. She has already released the singles “Drop Dead” and “The Cure.”