Olivia Rodrigo Says 'Kindest Individual In the World' Taylor Swift Sent Her a Ring and Handwritten Note (2024)

"All of her support and genuine compassion and excitement for me has just been so, so surreal," the "Drivers License" singer said of Taylor Swift

Hanna Flanagan

Style + Beauty Assistant, PEOPLE

People Editorial Guidelines

Published on March 4, 2021 01:24PM EST

Olivia Rodrigo is one step closer to making her dream collaboration a reality.

Less than one month after saying she would "love to be in a studio with Taylor [Swift] and thinks she is "such a genius," Rodrigo, 18, revealed that the Grammy winner, 31, sent her a handwritten note and a sentimental ring.

"She is absolutely the kindest individual in the whole world," the "Drivers License" hitmaker said during an interview with SiriusXM on Tuesday. "Actually, last night — like literally 12 hours ago — I got a package from her with this handwritten note."

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"And she gave me this ring because she said she wore one just like it when she wrote 'Red' and she wanted me to have one like it," the High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star said as she flashed a gold Cathy Waterman's "Love" ring ($3,200). (Swift wore a diamond-studded version for her Red album photoshoot in 2012, Page Six reports.)

"I truly like don't understand where she finds the time, first of all. Also, I feel so lucky that I was born at the right time to be able to look up to someone like her," Rodrigo continued. "I think she's incredible. All of her support and genuine compassion and excitement for me has just been so so surreal."

On Valentine's Day, the rising star co-hosted Apple Music 1's The Travis Mills Show and revealed just how much she adores the pop icon.

"I would just love to just be in a studio with Taylor," she told the host. "I don't even have to write with her. I just want to watch how she does it because I just think she's such a genius."

And when Mills, 31, mentioned a possible collaboration with the two fan-favorites, Rodrigo said, "That's the dream."

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"She's totally my biggest idol and biggest songwriting inspiration," Rodrigo said of the star. "To have her blessing was really, really special."

The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series actress received what she calls Swift's blessing last month after announcing on Instagram that her latest single had reached No. 3 on Apple Music's chart, only behind two of Swift's songs.

When Rodrigo wrote that she was "in a puddle of tears" about her accomplishment, Swift responded, "I say that's my baby and I'm really proud 💗👏."

While co-hosting The Travis Mills Show, Rodrigo said she "just about died" when she saw Swift's response.

As someone deeply entrenched in the world of music, particularly contemporary pop, I bring forth substantial expertise in artist collaborations, songwriting, and the dynamics within the music industry. I possess a comprehensive understanding of the careers, creative processes, and impacts of artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift. My insights are grounded in extensive exposure to interviews, industry analyses, and a keen observation of the evolution of their careers.

The article focuses on the budding camaraderie and admiration between Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift, two prominent figures in the music industry. Rodrigo, known for her breakout hit "Drivers License," expressed her immense admiration for Swift, describing her as a kind and compassionate individual who went out of her way to support her.

The key concepts and elements highlighted in the article include:

Olivia Rodrigo: A rising star in the music industry, known for her hit single "Drivers License" and her role in "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series." She expresses profound admiration for Taylor Swift and dreams of collaborating with her.
Taylor Swift: A Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and a major influence in pop music. Swift extends her support to Rodrigo by sending her a handwritten note and a sentimental ring, symbolizing a gesture of encouragement and inspiration.
Collaboration and Mentorship: Rodrigo expresses her desire to collaborate with Swift and, more importantly, to observe and learn from Swift's songwriting process, considering her a genius and a significant inspiration.
Support and Recognition: Swift acknowledges and supports Rodrigo's success, expressing pride in her achievements and offering words of encouragement on social media platforms like Instagram.
Emotional Impact: The article captures the emotional reactions of Rodrigo upon receiving Swift's support and validation, showcasing the genuine and heartfelt nature of their interaction.

This narrative illustrates the significance of mentorship, support, and the impact of one artist's validation on another within the music industry, emphasizing the value of mutual admiration and encouragement among peers.