Pop star Olivia Rodrigo has faced backlash from fans after it was announced that her initials will appear on FC Barcelona jerseys for their upcoming derby match against Real Madrid. The 23-year-old singer, who is set to release her new album 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' in June, will have 'OR' emblazoned on the shirts as part of the club's sponsorship agreement with Spotify.
Rodrigo expressed pride in the collaboration, stating: 'Seeing OR on a Barcelona jersey for El Clasico, I don't even know how to process that. It's been so fun seeing the jersey come to life and creating a full collection with Spotify and Barca.' She also announced a private concert for fans in Barcelona on May 8, calling the opportunity 'so special'.
The singer becomes the youngest artist to feature on a Barcelona shirt, following in the footsteps of Ed Sheeran, Travis Scott, Coldplay, Karol G, The Rolling Stones, Rosalía, and Drake. However, some fans have criticised the move, arguing that it commercialises the club's identity and prioritises marketing over tradition.
Spotify's Vice-President of Partnerships, Marc Hazan, defended the partnership, saying: 'Olivia Rodrigo has built one of the most passionate fan communities in the world, and so has FC Barcelona. Fandom doesn't have borders and the most powerful thing Spotify can do is bring those worlds together.'
Rodrigo, who rose to fame during the COVID-19 lockdown, previously credited isolation with helping her manage fame. She told the BBC: 'It helped me keep my sanity when there was so much drama going on. Being in isolation with people I loved and cared about kept me out of the hullabaloo.'
