Olivia Rodrigo reignites abortion rights debate before major festival Daisy Chain Fields

Singer partnered with women's rights groups as inaugural festival prepares to raise funds and expand public awareness

Olivia Rodrigo has once again used her platform to advocate for reproductive rights, making a strong statement ahead of her inaugural DAISY CHAIN FIELDS festival by arguing that abortion bans are about "pro control" rather than "pro life". The Grammy winning singer shared her views during a discussion hosted by the Center for Reproductive Rights as preparations continue for the one day music festival in California.

Rodrigo joined Center for Reproductive Rights President and CEO Nancy Northup alongside legal and policy experts Meetra Mehdizadeh, Autumn Katz and Nimra Chowdhry for an in depth conversation about reproductive healthcare access in the United States. The panel discussed the impact of abortion restrictions, the legal changes that followed the US Supreme Court's Dobbs decision in 2022 and the importance of public education surrounding reproductive healthcare.

During the conversation, Rodrigo described laws restricting reproductive rights as "terrifying" and argued that many abortion bans are not truly about protecting life. Instead, she said they are often about controlling women's bodies and limiting their choices.

The discussion also examined why some US states continue to enforce strict abortion restrictions despite concerns over maternal mortality rates. The panel highlighted the case of Amanda Zurawski, whose pregnancy complications became part of a widely discussed legal and political debate over emergency abortion care after the Dobbs ruling.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rodrigo's comments come as she prepares to launch the first DAISY CHAIN FIELDS festival on August 29 in Irvine, California. The event features an all female line up including Chappell Roan, Bikini Kill, Doechii, Garbage, Stevie Nicks and Mitski. Alongside live performances, the festival is designed to raise awareness and financial support for organisations working to protect women's rights and reproductive healthcare.

The Center for Reproductive Rights will be among 10 nonprofit organisations with an on site presence at the festival, giving attendees opportunities to learn more about reproductive rights advocacy and available resources.

Rodrigo has consistently spoken in support of reproductive rights throughout her career. In 2024, she launched the Fund 4 Good initiative, pledging that a portion of ticket proceeds from her GUTS WORLD TOUR would support organisations providing reproductive healthcare, education and community based programmes.

That same year, reproductive health organisations distributed contraceptive kits containing condoms, emergency contraception information and educational materials outside Rodrigo's concerts in Missouri. The initiative drew criticism from some Republican politicians, while organisers later said they were prevented from distributing similar kits at subsequent shows.

Rodrigo also attracted international attention during her GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL performance in 2022, when she invited Lily Allen on stage to perform "Fuck You" following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade. At the time, Rodrigo declared that women's bodies should never be controlled by politicians, a message that became one of the defining moments of the festival.

More recently, Rodrigo has said she understands that taking public positions on political issues may not please everyone, but maintaining her principles remains more important than seeking universal approval.

Alongside her advocacy work, Rodrigo is preparing for the release of music from her latest album, You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love, and is set to perform on her upcoming UNRAVELED TOUR, which includes multiple dates in London after additional shows were added because of strong demand.