Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett and Sabrina Carpenter participate in possible PR stunt

By Averie Howell

Art by Hallie Anderson

The release of 17-year-old Olivia Rodrigo’s song, “Drivers License” on Jan. 8 has incited much drama surrounding a love triangle speculated by fans. The triangle includes Rodrigo’s suspected ex-boyfriend and co-star on “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” Joshua Bassett, along with his new girlfriend and past Disney star, Sabrina Carpenter.

Although Rodrigo never confirmed who “Drivers License” was written about, fans believe that the song is aimed directly toward Bassett and his new girlfriend, even singing, “You're probably with that blonde girl...she's so much older than me.” Fans are almost certain that these lyrics reference Carpenter who is, in fact, blonde and also almost four years older than Rodrigo.

Only six days after the release of “Drivers License,” Bassett released a song, “Lie Lie Lie.” The song begins with the lyrics, “So they told me all the things that you said, running all over my name, and you're acting oh so innocent, like I'm the only one to blame.” Fans again speculate that it is a direct response to what Rodrigo had sung about their former relationship.

To complete the trio, Carpenter released “Skin” on Jan. 22. By releasing this song, Carpenter seems to confirm fans’ rumors as she sings, “Maybe you didn't mean it, maybe blonde was the only rhyme,” obviously in response to Rodrigo’s line about an older, blonde girl.

About 74% of participants in a St. Mary’s high school anonymous poll believed that “Drivers License" was a legit release and that Rodrigo was not trying to profit off of the drama. However, about 73% considered “Skin” to be a PR stunt. 

One student said, “I think that Olivia Rodrigo was simply expressing how she felt in ‘Drivers License,’ and Bassett and Carpenter both preyed on Rodrigo with their songs. Rodrigo even says that she feels insecure compared to Carpenter, but Carpenter antagonized Rodrigo in ‘Skin.’” 

Most students agreed that Rodrigo has been most affected by the drama because of how much recognition she has gained.

Another student said, “I believe Sabrina is innocent, and it is Bassett’s fault for promising to wait for Rodrigo ‘til she was of age for them to legally date and then move on. I believe that if Sabrina had known this, she would NEVER do that to someone else because Sabrina herself has gone through lots of pain and drama since her days on Disney Channel.” 

In spite of all the drama and PR stunt theories, 71% of students agreed that “Drivers License” is the best of the three songs. A student said, “Joshua Bassett needs to learn how to treat a girl right.”