“I used…go and…eat donuts with her”: Truth About Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan’s Friendship Before Latter’s Fame Will Melt Hearts

True friendship is as rare in the highly competitive musical world as perfect harmony. Oftentimes, artists are seen sharing great friendship and chemistry on-screen and in front of the media. However, fans love it when some artists share close connections since their early struggle days.

Two of music’s most promising rising artists, Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan, have been drawing attention with their hits and stage performances. However, what many might not know is that their friendship began when Roan was still serving donuts and Rodrigo was just getting her teenage fame.

Olivia Rodrigo Talks About Her Early Friendship With Chappell Roan

Before Chappell Roan came into the spotlight with HOT TO GO! and Olivia Rodrigo with drivers license, they crossed paths through their common producer, Dan Nigro. Roan started working with Nigro in 2018, who eventually became Rodrigo’s producer in 2020.

Roan initially had a deal with Atlantic Records. But she was dropped eventually as her songs like Love Me Anyway and California didn’t earn profit for the label. Later, she relocated to L.A. in late 2020 and started doing some odd jobs to fund her music independently. 

It was around that time that her friendship with Olivia Rodrigo deepened. Rodrigo revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,

I used to go visit her when she worked at a donut shop before she got signed, before she put out any of her music. I used to go and, like, eat donuts with her and hang out. So I’m just, I’m so happy… I’m so proud of her. She deserves it all.

The friendship also grew on a professional level. Roan provided her backing vocals for many of Rodrigo’s tracks, like Lacy, Obsessed, and Bad Idea, Right? Roan also supported Rodrigo on the SOUR tour in 2022 by performing at the San Francisco show.

Their support exists beyond the stage as well. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Rodrigo stated that her number one artist on Spotify Wrapped was Chappell Roan. 

More recently, they both delivered an electrifying performance during Rodrigo’s GUTS world tour stop in L.A. by singing the song HOT TO GO! together. Roan opened the show for Rodrigo, and their on-stage chemistry reflected a genuine connection that has been there for years in real life.

Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo Help Each Other Deal With Fame

The pressure in the music industry is high, especially for young artists. While speaking to The Independent about the choices she made in her life, Roan admitted that she sought help from Rodrigo during her difficult period. She recalled consulting Rodrigo on how to deal with the fame. Chappell revealed,

I was just really struggling…with the bullying online. I was going to reach out to Phoebe Bridgers and see what she was doing and I asked Olivia if she had talked to Billie [Eilish] or anything. People who are in similar circumstances.

Rodrigo’s response was as simple as it was practical. Roan revealed, “She was just like, ‘No one has it figured out. No one has the answer. It’s different for every person.'” Rodrigo told Roan that everyone struggles with fame irrespective of their success level.

The support flows both ways. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Rodrigo expressed her gratitude for Roan’s guidance. She said,

She’s taught me so much about artistry and about being creative and how to take care of yourself on the road. She always reminds me that we’re constantly changing and you’re never stuck in one era of your life. You can always reinvent and be more creative and do fun things.

It’s clear that their mutual support system works best since they have had similar career trajectories. Both have seen quick growth to stardom – Roan went from performing in small clubs to performing in arenas in less than two years, and Rodrigo grew from a Disney Channel star to a global pop sensation.