‘We really normalise pedophilia in our culture’ – Olivia Rodrigo speaks out about outfit criticism

American singer Olivia Rodrigo has faced backlash about her concert outfits on social media 

The singer has been taking to the stage in the rollout of her third studio album, making appearances ranging from her performance on SNL to her Spotify Billions live gig.

However, avid Olivia fans have noticed that she has introduced a new wardrobe to her live performances. In particular, the babydoll dresses Olivia has been wearing have received online backlash for looking too “childlike”.

The American singer has been promoting her third studio album, titled you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, which will be released on June 12th. Olivia has already dropped two singles from the album, drop dead and the cure.

Speaking in an interview with The New York Times podcast 'Popcast', Olivia said the criticism she’s received has been “disturbing”, and that it's been making her "so upset".

“Not even for me. People can say whatever they want", the singer told hosts Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli.

"What's really, like, disturbing is I feel like I have worn outfits that are revealing on stage. Like I've been on stage in like a sparkly bra, 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 deem to be childlike was inappropriate," she continued.

Olivia added that the backlash shows how "pedophilia" is normalised in culture.

"It's just this rhetoric that we're fed as girls since we're so little, which is like, 'Don't wear that because then a man is going to sexualise your body and it's your fault"

The driver's license singer added that the thought is "so weird".

"I didn't think I looked sexy in that at all — I was like 'This is so cool. I feel like I look like Kathleen Hanna or Courtney Love.' All these people who are my heroes."

"I’m just very protective of younger women, girls, and I don’t ever want them to be fed that rhetoric," she added.

This podcast appearance comes in anticipation of her third album, as well as her upcoming Unraveled Tour, which will be hitting the road in September.

Olivia Rodrigo took to social media to announce the track list for the album, stating in the caption that she "can't wait" for her fans to hear the songs.