Olivia Rodrigo says babydoll dress critics ‘normalise pedophilia’

Olivia Rodrigo has spoken out about the recent backlash over her babydoll-style dress, saying the backlash reflects harmful attitudes about how young women and girls are viewed and sexualized in society.

talk new york times pop cast In a podcast today (May 29), the Grammy-winning singer said she found online discussions about her fashion choices “really disturbing.” Especially since she was criticized while wearing an outfit that was considered less revealing than other outfits she has worn on stage in the past.

“I’m very upset about that,” Rodrigo said. “What really bothers me is that I feel like I was actually wearing a revealing outfit on stage…and it wasn’t inappropriate, but I ended up covering my entire body with a dress that people found childish and inappropriate.”

Furthermore, she added: “I think this really shows how we’ve normalized pedophilia in our culture.”

Rodrigo also reflected on the messages girls often receive from a young age about their appearance.

“It’s just this rhetoric that we’re raised as girls from a young age: don’t wear it, because men sexualize your body, and it’s your fault. It’s so weird,” she said.

The singer explained that she chose the dress as “cool and comfortable,” comparing it to the looks of artists she admires, such as Kathleen Hanna and Courtney Love.

Rodrigo said she worries that young girls have internalized the idea that they have a responsibility to prevent others from sexualizing them, adding: “I’m just very protective of young women and girls and I don’t want them to be subject to that kind of rhetoric.”

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