Irish singer CMAT has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Olivia Rodrigo for covering her song, revealing that the performance provided a much-needed respite from depression triggered by a “quasi-organised online attack” over her appearance.
Background of the Trolling
In May, both musicians found themselves at the centre of extended trolling campaigns related to their looks. Rodrigo, 23, faced accusations of infantilising herself by wearing babydoll dresses on stage, while CMAT, 30, was body-shamed after her performance at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
Rodrigo's Supportive Cover
Performing in Radio 1’s Live Lounge on Wednesday (3 June), Rodrigo declared herself a big fan and covered “When A Good Man Cries” from CMAT’s 2025 album Euro-Country. CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, responded with a video of herself shouting as Rodrigo sang along.
On her Substack blog, Sinceremat, CMAT described the performance as a “gift” that “could not have come at a better time”. She wrote: “Imagine me waking up in my bed in a t-shirt I’d worn for almost 4 days in a row (depression) and then 10 minutes later hearing Olivia’s cover go out on Radio 1. Her gift to me could not have come at a better time.”
Impact of the Online Attack
CMAT explained that the discourse had taken a toll on her mental health, particularly before her biggest headline show in Dublin on Saturday (30 May). She wrote: “St Anne’s was of course incredible, but certainly I was concerned about my weight and ability to sing/perform properly way too much for a thoroughly joyous homecoming. Then this gift landed in my lap. Thank F***.”
She added that being the target of a “quasi-organised online attack” due to the algorithm throwing her into the timelines of men who don’t want to see or hear her “does something to the brain”. She admitted: “I didn’t really leave my room for 5 days because I just wanted to tap out of other peoples’ ability to see me.”
Gratitude and Renewed Inspiration
Praising Rodrigo for covering the song in a way that was “just so considered and exquisitely, exquisitely done”, CMAT continued: “So thank you Olivia Rodrigo for making me feel like the prettiest songwriter at the school disco. I don’t know what I did to deserve anything but I have been firmly reminded of what my job is and am now off to write 1 million more weird songs.”
Parallels Between the Artists
As the discourse surrounding CMAT and Rodrigo refused to slow down in May, many fans drew parallels between the vitriol directed at both artists. Both Rodrigo and CMAT hit back at their respective controversies.
Appearing on The New York Times Popcast, Rodrigo said that the backlash to her wearing a babydoll dress with bloomers and knee socks in the video for her song “Drop Dead” “just shows how we really normalise paedophilia in our culture”.
CMAT wrote on Instagram that she felt “deep sadness” that her body had come under such scrutiny once again, with previous trolling having inspired her viral hit “Take A Sexy Picture For Me”. She stated: “It is literally so boring for me, a gorgeous genius, to keep having to yap on about how horribly I am treated because of my body.”
Rodrigo's Admiration for CMAT
During her Live Lounge performance, Rodrigo revealed she had only discovered CMAT a few months ago but “really, really loved” her. She said: “She’s such an incredible, unique songwriter. I think nobody writes songs like her right now. She’s just a force.”
