Olivia Rodrigo Loves People Taking ‘Teenage Girl Music’ Seriously

Olivia Rodrigo is happy that her songs about teenage angst and heartbreak resonate with a demographic that isn't just teenage girls. "I’m really excited by the way that people are getting behind artists that normally would be deemed for young people,” she told People over the weekend. The 20-year-old pop star tells the publication that though she loves interacting with fans her age who are going through the same struggles she is going through in real-time, it has been those girls' dads who she's loved the feedback from.

The "spicy Pisces" tells the publication that it's "super cool" dads of her fans would tell her things like, "'Wow, I remember when I was going through that heartbreak.'" When "Drivers License" came out, the singer-songwriter recalls that all sorts of people would come up to her and open up about "exactly where I was when I was experiencing that heartbreak for the first time."

As a musician, the "vampire" singer feels more connected to her fans than ever. "It’s just such a cool thing to see that we’re all so much more alike than we are different,” she said, adding that it makes her feel less alone. "Everyone has experienced some sort of pain or loss and insecurity.’” She then noted that, in her estimation, people are starting to take what she called "teenage girl music" more seriously.

Following the interview, The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series alum reposted on her Instagram Stories a video perfectly capturing the feelings she shared about her expanding fanbase. The video was from creator @pokemonmasterzo, who is a man, writing: "Me: why would I listen to music made for teenage girls?" Her track, "get him back!" plays as he starts to lip sync along to the song and adds: "Also me:"

The 2023 MTV VMAs took place at Newark, New Jersey's Prudential Center Tuesday (September 12) night. Nicki Minaj returns to "host" and perform, marking the second time the "Barbie World" rapper will take the stage. According to a source at MTV familiar with the awards show, no one can labeled as a "host" because of the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. In addition to Minaj's emceeing duties, she'll also perform her newest single, "Last Time I Saw You" for the very first time.

Sean “Diddy” Combs will be honored with the Global Icon Award and perform his greatest hits. The artist will receive the third-ever Global Icon Award, which MTV says "celebrates an artist or band whose unparalleled career and continued influence have achieved a unique level of global success in music and beyond." Shakira will receive the Video Vanguard Award and will also perform at the awards show for the first time since 2006. Performances by Olivia Rodrigo, Demi Lovato, Doja Cat, Karol G, Kelsea Ballerini, Fall Out Boy, Måneskin and K-Pop boy band Stray Kids are among the artists set to take the stage.

Taylor Swift leads the nominations this year with eight nods altogether, followed by six for SZA. For the coveted Video of the Year, Swift's "Anti-Hero" will face off against SZA’s “Kill Bill,” Doja Cat’s “Attention,” Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers,” Nicki Minaj’s “Super Freaky Girl,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” and Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ “Unholy.”

The 39th annual awards show begins at 8 p.m. ET, broadcast simultaneously on VH1, MTV2, Comedy Central, CMT, BET, BET Her, Paramount Network, and Nickelodeon. Those who use streams can tune in live on DirecTV and Paramount+ apps. The first MTV Video Music Awards show took place on September 14, 1984
and was hosted by Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Take a look below at the hottest looks of the VMA red carpet.