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Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo is mobilizing voters and buoying turnout for the midterm elections this year, which may be a bit of payback against the Trump administration after one of her songs was used in one of its anti-immigration advertisements.
In November, Rodrigo hit back at the Department of Homeland Security after her song, “all-american bitch,” was used in an advertisement that encouraged immigrants living in the U.S. without proper documentation to self-deport. The Instagram post, made in collaboration with the White House’s account, used the singer’s work as it showed images of people of color being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
“Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda,” replied Rodrigo — who is of Filipino descent, with a great-great-grandfather who emigrated from the Philippines — in the comments on the Instagram post at the time.
Last month, to Dazed magazine, she elaborated on the topic: “I was just scrolling on my phone. It was so deeply disturbing to see that propaganda, and the fact it was my song in there made me feel even more enraged. What they’re doing is so awful and barbaric and cruel. I am really sad to be in a country that thinks that’s OK.”
The Dazed interview wasn’t the only time Rodrigo aired her frustration. On the cover of British Vogue, she revisited the episode, describing the administration’s use of her music as a “weaponization” of her art, calling the whole ordeal “dystopian.”
While the “good 4 u” singer was vocal about her outrage, it seems that her true revenge is now being served — cold and without even dropping a name. Rodrigo is helping launch a sweepstakes offering tickets to her Daisy Chain Fields festival, encouraging entrants to check their voter registration status, register, or explore election resources for a chance at an all-expenses-paid trip to the festival — travel and hotel included — according to HeadCount, the nonprofit running the promotion. HeadCount partners with musicians and music events nationwide to build awareness around civil rights and voter participation, working at over 1,000 concerts and festivals a year.
The festival, featuring only women artists, has tapped Chappell Roan, Doechii, Santigold, Sarah McLachlan, Mitski, The Breeders, Bikini Kill and Stevie Nicks to perform. It will take place Aug. 29 in Irvine, California, and all net proceeds will be directed toward charities for women and girls.
And it’s shaping up to be more than a mere concert. Beyond the all-women lineup, organizers say Daisy Chain Fields will fold in an activism component, with nonprofits on-site sharing resources on issues like reproductive rights, maternal health, economic empowerment and domestic violence prevention. Partners reportedly include the Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood, turning the festival grounds into as much a civic showcase as a stage.
