LONDON - Olivia Rodrigo is expected to arrive at any moment. The plan was to film an interview at Hampstead Heath, one of her favorite spots in London, but the weather took a turn for the worse. It is not just raining heavily; it is a downpour of epic proportions. As the rain pours down, the lighting and camera equipment are quickly gathered and relocated to the beautiful Victorian kitchen of the nearby Kenwood House. It is a chaotic rush, but everything is set up just in time as Rodrigo arrives, looking perfectly composed after a short but breezy walk from her car to the set.
Despite the early hour, the 23-year-old singer has already been hard at work. During the journey, she made final adjustments to a new track titled Maggots For Brains, which is set to be released in just 10 days. "I love that song musically, and there is a lot going on - a lot of harmonies, and literally in the car, I was like, turn that backing vocal up just one decibel," she shares. "I was getting kind of weird about it. Nobody else will notice."
Hampstead Heath was chosen as the interview location because it is one of Rodrigo's favorite places in London - an open space where she can generally walk around without being disturbed. "It is the best place to hang out," she says. "Nobody has ever been weird, I guess because it is so spread out? One time, I even saw someone propose. I was sitting on a bench, and I looked over, and there was a huge commotion, and all the couple's friends were there. It was so sweet."
It is a scenario she has dreamed about. Ideally, Rodrigo would also receive an outdoor proposal in New York's Central Park. "I would love it if someone paid for a placard on one of the benches that said, 'Will you marry me?'," she laughs. "Then you would sit down and you are like, 'Oh my God!' So spread the word... Hopefully my future husband will see this." If you are out there, prospective Mr. Rodrigo, you should also know your wedding song has been pre-selected. "It is going to be I Melt with You by Modern English," Rodrigo says, humming the intro. "Imagine kissing and then walking back down the aisle to that? I love that song." It is reassuring to hear her faith in love remains intact.
Anyone who has listened to Rodrigo's first two albums, 2021's Sour and 2023's Guts, knows the singer has endured a few calamitous heartbreaks, approaching them with a mix of anguish, confusion, and feminine rage. She did not write her first true love song until 2024: So American - a punchy new wave cut, about falling head over heels for English actor Louis Partridge. Before long, her Instagram page was filled with photos from Wimbledon and double-decker buses.
