Olivia Rodrigo opens up about her acting career and change to songwriting in an interview for Elle

Olivia Rodrigo has become a chart topper singer thanks to her recent hit Driver’s License.

And the 18-year-old singer told the May 2021 issue of Elle that she makes a big effort to keep it real for her fans so they can relate to her.

‘Whether it’s in my fashion or my songs or my social media, I want to just be like, “Yo, this is me. And I’m sometimes weird as f***, and I’m sometimes polished and put together,’ the beauty shared.

Going her own way: Olivia Rodrigo has become a chart topper singer thanks to her recent hit Driver’s License. And the 18-year-old singer told the May 2021 issue of Elle that she makes a big effort to keep it real for her fans

Speaking out: 'Whether it’s in my fashion or my songs or my social media, I want to just be like, "Yo, this is me. And I’m sometimes weird as f***, and I’m sometimes polished and put together,' the beauty shared

Speaking out: ‘Whether it’s in my fashion or my songs or my social media, I want to just be like, “Yo, this is me. And I’m sometimes weird as f***, and I’m sometimes polished and put together,’ the beauty shared

And she feels being real with her fans is what makes it all so special. 

‘There’s something so powerful in being vulnerable and open, like, “This is my life, and I’m f***ing sad.” Or, “I’m insecure”…That’s what makes songwriting so special.’

The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series actress went on to speak about her parents’ support of her interests and how their influences went on to shape the way that she crafts her songs. 

‘My mom would be like, “Screaming and yelling and all that grotesque stuff, it’s emotion. It moves me. That’s the point of music.” I’ve always had that in my head: The point of music is to move you,’ she remarked.

The singer also noted that, although she had difficulty putting songs together at first, she eventually came to a breakthrough after going through piano lessons, which she loathed. 

Opening up: During the interview, the songwriter noted that there was something 'so powerful' that she felt when putting a song together

Opening up: During the interview, the songwriter noted that there was something ‘so powerful’ that she felt when putting a song together

Set idea: The Disney Channel alum went on to express that the 'point of music is to move you'

Set idea: The Disney Channel alum went on to express that the ‘point of music is to move you’

‘I realized that songwriting was something that people do, and it’s a craft,’ she expressed. 

Interscope’s head of A&R, Sam Riback, also spoke to the publication and remarked that Rodrigo’s eclectic influences ultimately changed her approach to writing material and performing.

‘She started referencing Fiona Apple, the Smashing Pumpkins. She liked the Taylor Swifts and all that, but you could tell there was a left-of-center view to the way she was approaching pop music,’ the executive expressed.

Working on it: The singer-songwriter also stated that she viewed her musical efforts as a way of shaping her 'craft'

Working on it: The singer-songwriter also stated that she viewed her musical efforts as a way of shaping her ‘craft’

Doing her own thing: Music industry executive Sam Riback also remarked that Rodrigo has a 'left-of-center view' as to how she approaches songwriting given her wide range of influences

Doing her own thing: Music industry executive Sam Riback also remarked that Rodrigo has a ‘left-of-center view’ as to how she approaches songwriting given her wide range of influences

The actress then changed the topic of conversation towards her hit song Driver’s License and stated that the song’s release ‘has given me a lot of confidence in my voice.’

Rodrigo also discussed how she has grown as a person through her musical efforts and added that she wanted to keep developing her talents. 

She said, ‘I think songwriting has really helped me home in on what I like about myself and my art…I just want to be effortless, I guess.’

The singer remarked that she wanted to express her multifaceted personality through her creative work and did not want to be pegged into one sound or style. 

Something special: The actress went on to discuss how the release of her chart-topping track Driver's License gave her 'confidence in her voice'

Something special: The actress went on to discuss how the release of her chart-topping track Driver’s License gave her ‘confidence in her voice’

Keep pushing on: The entertainment industry figure also discussed how she desired to keep honing her craft in order to find wider success

Keep pushing on: The entertainment industry figure also discussed how she desired to keep honing her craft in order to find wider success

Not a problem: Rodrigo explicitly stated that she wanted to become 'effortless' as a songwriter and a performer

Not a problem: Rodrigo explicitly stated that she wanted to become ‘effortless’ as a songwriter and a performer

Rodrigo also discussed her experience working on the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark and recalled that she went through ‘an identity crisis on steroids’ after being cast on the show.

The singer concluded by proclaiming her desire to keep an open mind with regard to her creative output and to continue to defy expectations, to which she added, ‘I think that’s the antithesis of a brand.’ 

Tough times: The singer also recalled that she underwent an 'identity crisis on steroids' after she was cast in the Disney Channel show Bizaardvark

Tough times: The singer also recalled that she underwent an ‘identity crisis on steroids’ after she was cast in the Disney Channel show Bizaardvark