By Audrey Cabaltica
Many people assume that Olivia Rodrigo is white. She’s been an artist since 2015 but many fans still don’t know that Olivia Rodrigo is half Filipino.
When her hit “Drivers License” came out in 2021, I immediately knew that Olivia Rodrigo was Filipino. When I found out I was right, I was so pleased because I felt represented. She also lives in California and is a Filipino American, just like me!
In school, I’ve always been the only Filipino kid in the whole school. People are always confused about my ethnicity and are never able to guess it. When I tell them I’m Filipino, they have no idea what that is or where I’m from. When I tell them I’m from the Philippines, my Indian and Chinese classmates think I’m called “Philippinese” and “Philipean”.
Then when my classmates tell me they don’t know anyone who’s Filipino, I tell them Olivia Rodrigo is Filipino. They are always shock. “What?! Really?” They had no clue until I told them! It frustrates me that a lot of people don’t know what Olivia’s ethnicity or cultural background is when she’s so famous.
Olivia Rodrigo’s parents
Olivia’s dad is not Chinese. Her dad, Chris Rodrigo is a Filipino therapist. Since she was a 12-year-old Disney star, Olivia has said that her Filipino great-grandfather came alone to the US as a teenager.
Olivia’s mom, Jennifer Rodrigo, is a teacher who comes from German and Irish descent. So Olivia is mixed race and was raised knowing many Filipino values, food, and traditions.
What is Olivia Rodrigo’s race or ethnicity?
I love Olivia. I look up to her because she’s a Filipino artist known around the whole world.
During her 2024 Guts World Tour, Olivia performed in the Philippines to her biggest crowd of 55,000. While she charged over $1,000 concert tickets in the US, she only charged $25 in Manila so many of her fans could afford to watch her. Then she donated all her profits to fund healthcare for Filipino
women and girls.
During her concert in Manila, Olivia Rodrigo announced she learned how to say, “Proud Pinoy ako!” This shocked lots of people online who never knew she was Filipino. I saw TikToks of fans expressing their surprise and saying they thought she was white. Some even thought she was Mexican.
I was so disappointed when I saw these videos and felt very frustrated with her fans. How can you call yourself a fan when you don’t even know Olivia’s ethnicity? All this time people didn’t even know Olivia was Asian.
Is Olivia Rodrigo Mexican?
When you search up “Olivia Rodrigo ethnicity” there are multiple articles addressing the confusion about her Filipino descent. There are also many Reddit posts under r/OliviaRodrigo arguing whether Olivia is Filipino or not.
Olivia Rodrigo is not Mexican. A popular thread I’ve seen is the topic of Olivia being Mexican. I’ve read multiple comments online of people thinking Olivia is half Mexican and some Mexicans saying they’re proud of having Olivia represent them, even though she is not of Mexican descent at all. This really frustrates me because Olivia is a Filipino artist, but no one knows it!
Last February, there was a viral TikTok of a famous influencer reviewing different Crumbl Cookies. One of the cookies reviewed was the Olivia Rodrigo GUTS Cookie. In the review, the influencer says “Olivia Rodriguez, that little Mexican girl that be crying”.
Many people who watched this video were confused and were arguing in the comments about Olivia’s ethnicity. Most thought Olivia was really Mexican. Olivia herself even made a TikTok using this audio as a joke, but some fans really thought she was being serious that she was Mexican.
Olivia Rodrigo says she’s Filipino
Olivia’s ethnicity should not even be something that should be debated. This November, Olivia explicitly said on YouTube that she is Filipino while holding a Philippine flag. She clearly identifies as a Filipino American.
Last October, on The Tonight Show, Olivia told host Jimmy Fallon, “I’m Filipino.”
Olivia repeatedly talks about her Filipino grandfather cooking her favorite Filipino food, lumpia, which is similar to the Chinese egg roll. She said her family serves it on Thanksgiving. Lumpia is a popular food in our Philippine cuisine and is also one of my favorites!
Olivia Rodrigo is the first Filipino American to be on Vogue
I greatly admire Olivia for her talent and creativity. She actually appreciates and cares about her fans, unlike some new stars who suddenly became famous and now have an attitude. I’m so proud and happy that she is representing Filipinos and making Filipinos better known across the world.
Last year, Olivia Rodrigo became the first and only Filipino American to be on the cover of Vogue USA. When I realized that Vogue has been around for 131 years, I was shocked and became even more proud of Olivia. Because of who she is, I’m so proud to be a Livie.
I really hope fans correct their knowledge and learn her true heritage. I am proud to share the same ethnic background as Olivia. I hope next time I tell someone that I’m Filipino, they will say, “Oh, like Olivia Rodrigo!”
Audrey is a teen contributor and product reviewer who studies in Silicon Valley.
