Olivia Rodrigo Has Something To Say About That Absurd Babydoll Dress Controversy

Rodrigo addressed backlash over her babydoll dresses on stage, saying the reactions have upset her because her wardrobe has been sexualized and taken out of context. She said she has worn other revealing outfits on stage, including a sparkly bra and little shorts, and that those were treated differently despite being similarly revealing. She argued the controversy reflects normalized pedophilia and double standards that pressure women to change their clothing to avoid distracting men. She described the rhetoric girls receive from childhood, including the idea that sexualization is their fault. She also said the babydoll dress inspiration came from rock heroes like Kathleen Hanna and Courtney Love, and she felt cool and comfortable rather than sexy.

"“it's been making me so upset” that her wardrobe has been sexualized, and slamming those who have taken her outfits out of context."

"“What's really disturbing is I have worn outfits that are maybe revealing on stage,” she said. “I've been on stage in a sparkly bra and little shorts, which is my right. That's fun, I felt cool and comfortable in that. And like that wasn't inappropriate, but me fully covered up in a dress that people deemed to be childlike was inappropriate.”"

"“Rodrigo said the controversy ‘just shows how we really normalize pedophilia in our culture’ and called out the double standards of women being expected to amend their wardrobe to not distract men.”"

"“It's just this rhetoric we're fed as girls since we're so little, which is, 'Don't wear that because then a man is going to sexualize your body and it's your fault.' It's so weird,” she explained. “I didn't think that I looked sexy in that at all,” she said. “I felt cool and comfortable in it.”"

Read at Bustle