Olivia Rodrigo released “drivers license” on Jan. 8, 2021, and her rise to global superstardom has not slowed since. The initial release of this song debuted at number one on the Hot 100 and stayed there for eight weeks, while her album Sour was on the Billboard 200 for five weeks after being released in May. Currently, Olivia Rodrigo has over 42.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, 23.5 million followers on Instagram and a sold-out tour starting on April 5. Making a name for herself as not just a Disney Channel star, Rodrigo has secured herself as one of the most popular and influential artists of this decade…and at only 19!
Since Sour‘s release, Rodrigo has accredited multiple awards wins across several music award ceremonies. The album itself and “drivers license” have each won two awards before the Grammy Awards. Rodrigo herself has won esteemed awards such as the MTV Video Award for Best New Artist and AMA for New Artist of the Year. With her successful debut year, there was no doubt in fans’ minds that she would also be nominated for multiple Grammy categories. This came to fruition with Rodrigo being nominated for seven categories at the 2022 Grammy Awards: Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Music Video. On April 3, Rodrigo won three of the seven Grammy Awards she was nominated for.
Best Pop Solo Performance
Rodrigo’s first Grammy of the night was for the song “drivers license,” the song that started it all. While audiences watching live would not have seen this award given live since it was awarded to her at the Premiere Ceremony, her first win of the night set the mood for the great achievements she would continue to make. The breakout hit song was up against other great contenders: “Happier Than Ever” (Billie Eilish), “Positions” (Ariana Grande), “Right on Time” (Brandi Carlile) and “Anyone” (Justin Bieber). After winning this award, Rodrigo made her Grammy stage debut and gave a heartfelt performance of “drivers license” while behind the wheel of a car.
Best Pop Vocal Album
Phenomenal artists like Celine Dion, Adele, Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars have previously received this award. Up for nomination against Rodrigo this year were Justin Bieber’s “Justice” (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Ariana Grande’s “Positions,” Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” and Doja Cat’s “Planet Her.” At 19 years old, Rodrigo is the second youngest to win this award, only after Billie Eilish, who won in 2020 at 18 years old. During her acceptance speech, she dedicated the honor to her parents for always believing in her dreams, even when she said she would win a Grammy one day at nine years old. She thanked her mom for believing in her “pipe dreams” while clutching the golden gramophone.
Best New Artist
Olivia Rodrigo secured her name as Best New Artist among other stellar artists like The Beatles, Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse and Megan Thee Stallion at the 64th Grammy Awards. While nominated against breakout singers such as FINNEAS, Jimmie Allen and Japanese Breakfast, fans of the Sour singer were ecstatic to watch Rodrigo win one of the most prestigious awards of the night. Rodrigo graciously thanked the Recording Academy, her fans and Dan Nigro while stating that “this was [her] biggest dream come true.”
Though Rodrigo didn’t have a clean sweep for the night, her lost nominations were won by exceptionally talented and worthy nominees. Record of the Year went to Silk Sonic; Album of the Year went to Jon Batiste, the first Black man to win in 14 years; Song of the Year went to Silk Sonic for “Leave The Door Open”; and Best Music Video went to Jon Batiste for “Freedom.” With three Grammy Award wins under her belt, the world is excited to see what is in store for Olivia Rodrigo. Two days after her appearance at the Grammy Awards, she took to the stage in Portland, Oregon, to start her Sour tour, which will continue for almost four months.
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