Olivia Rodrigo becomes youngest international artist to hit major milestone since Britney Spears

Olivia Rodrigo has achieved the biggest opening week of her career after her third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, debuted at Number 1 in the UK.

According to Official Charts Company data, the record shifted almost 103,000 chart units in its first week. The impressive figure comfortably surpasses the opening performances of her previous albums, with SOUR debuting with 51,000 units and GUTS launching with 60,000 units.

The achievement gives Rodrigo her third consecutive UK Number 1 album and marks one of the strongest album debuts of 2026.

At 23 years old, the American singer has also entered the record books. Official Charts confirmed that she is now the youngest international artist to surpass 100,000 albums in an opening week in the UK in more than two decades. The previous artist to reach the milestone at a younger age was Britney Spears, whose Greatest Hits: My Prerogative achieved the feat in 2004.

The strong launch also represents the biggest first week for any international album released in Britain this year. In addition to topping the Official Albums Chart, Rodrigo’s latest release also claimed the summit of both the Official Record Store Chart and the Official Album Vinyl Chart.

Reacting to the news, Rodrigo thanked fans for their support and revealed that the UK holds special significance for the album.

“Thank you so much for this Number 1 album award. It means so much to me. I wrote so many of these songs in the UK, so it makes it extra special. Thank you all for listening, I appreciate it so much. I cannot wait to put this on my mantle,” she said.

The chart success continues Rodrigo’s remarkable run since emerging as one of pop music’s biggest stars in the early 2020s. Both SOUR and GUTS became global successes and earned widespread critical acclaim, while songs from the new album have already generated strong streaming and sales numbers.

Elsewhere on the UK Albums Chart, Yorkshire rock band Embrace reached Number 5 with Avalanche, their highest charting release since 2018. Harry Styles also enjoyed renewed chart success, with several of his albums climbing the rankings amid his ongoing Wembley Stadium residency and recent appearance at MELTDOWN FESTIVAL.

For Rodrigo, however, the week belonged entirely to her latest record. With more than 100,000 units sold and another Number 1 album secured, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love has delivered the most successful opening chapter of her career so far.