Olivia Rodrigo is no stranger to speaking her mind. Debuting in 2021, her first album, Sour, was widely praised by the media for its intense vulnerability and refreshing honesty about typical teenage experiences like breakups and getting your license.
As she’s grown up, Rodrigo has maintained her trademark transparency in every song she releases. Her sophomore album, Guts, topped the Billboard 200 in the United States and had fans screaming her powerful lyrics from songs like “pretty isn’t pretty.” This song in particular explored the inevitable insecurities teenage girls face when confronted with the implications of modern beauty standards.
After releasing her third album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So In Love, in June 2026, Rodrigo began exploring heavier topics in her songwriting. In addition to her original record, on Aug. 21, she put out a song titled “Serena Joy.” Named after a central character from the popular novel The Handmaid’s Tale, this song served as a statement condemning the suppression of women’s voices that still occurs in our society today.
While such a loaded topic might have seemed out of character for the young pop star, Rodrigo has used her platform to advocate for women for several years. In 2022, she performed at the famed Glastonbury Festival and publicly called out the five Supreme Court Justices who helped overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that same year. In Feb. 2024, Rodrigo embarked on her Guts World Tour.
Ahead of this tour, she announced Fund 4 Good, her global initiative that supports and funds resources for women nationwide. Rodrigo has also been a loud participant in the conversation surrounding reproductive rights, notably and vocally supporting Planned Parenthood.
Rodrigo has always advocated for girls everywhere, and her involvement in the movement reached a new height this summer. In June 2026, she announced her very own music festival, Daisy Chain Fields. Set to take place in August, Daisy Chain Fields was created entirely by women, for women. It featured all women artists — including Rodrigo — and supported 10 women’s rights organizations.
According to Rodrigo, Daisy Chain Fields was brought to life in the name of community and shared power. The festival’s mission statement provided that, much like a daisy chain, women are unbreakable when they come together. With this idea in mind, Rodrigo created an incredible demonstration of women coming together to make a difference in so many ways.
Much like the infamous Lillith Fair of the late 1990s, Rodrigo’s lineup of musical guests showed how much talent and power women can have. Performers like Chappell Roan, Bikini Kill, and even generational voices like Stevie Nicks and Sarah McLaughlan showed out, performing greatest hits and pop-rock anthems. Their confidence and display of “girl power” were astounding, reminding audiences how female artists are forces to be reckoned with.
Rodrigo’s own performance was nothing short of awe-inspiring as well; she performed “Serena Joy” for the first time, restating the importance of not letting women’s voices be drowned out by “the man.”
Rodrigo also garnered an impressive list of sponsors for the event. Partnering with brands like Taco Bell, Depop, Etsy, and Athleta, the festival’s credibility skyrocketed even in its maiden voyage. She covered all the bases in supporting women, with her feminist-forward brand presence and the array of local artists she aimed to highlight.
The festival grounds featured brand activations and interactive art such as Yoko Ono’s “Wish Tree” and Salt & Straw’s exclusive Daisy Chain Fields sundae, with all proceeds going to the festival’s non-profit partners.
Perhaps the most important part of Daisy Chain Fields, however, was its financial results. Ahead of the festival, Rodrigo announced it had already raised $10M in donations, all of which would go to its foundational partners. On the day of the festival, philanthropist Melinda Gates not only attended but also approached Rodrigo with a matched donation, contributing $10M more to the cause.
In total, the Daisy Chain Fields Festival raised $20M and donated 100% of that sum towards non-profits like the National Institute for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood, National Women’s Law Center, and more. Even with all its first-year success, Rodrigo isn’t stopping there: Daisy Chain Fields Festival will return in 2027.
Rodrigo is becoming a prominent figure in the fight for women’s rights and a role model for young fans and feminists worldwide.
Want to keep up with HCBU? Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, check out our Pinterest board, watch us on TikTok, and read our latest Tweets!