Fans of Olivia Rodrigo were left scratching their heads after her touring guitarist revealed that the pop star has been covering the cost of therapy for her entire band and crew. The news, intended as a heartwarming anecdote, instead left netizens asking a simple question: why?
Daisy Spencer, who played guitar on Rodrigo’s Guts World Tour, shared the details during a recent episode of The StageLeft Podcast. She explained that Rodrigo, along with tour manager Marty Hom, provided the service.
Spencer went on to admit that she “utilized the cr*p” out of the free access to therapy provided by the singer, an anecdote that was instantly turned into meme-fodder.
“Her tour was so traumatic that she had to pay for their therapy,” one reader wrote.
Netizens made fun of Olivia Rodrigo after it was revealed she paid for therapy for her entire crew
Image credits: Leon Neal/Getty Images
“Olivia and our tour manager, Marty Hom, made accessible and free therapy for all of the touring personnel,” Spencer said. “Honestly, that was one of the coolest things that has ever happened on tour.”
Image credits: The StageLeft Podcast
The guitarist went into detail about how the “perk” allowed her to revisit unresolved issues from her childhood.
“I'm doing baby Daisy a good justice of finally getting to hear baby Daisy’s story of what they were going through when I was younger,” she said.
“It is such a gift to be able to look within yourself and have someone else help you bring some stuff out of you that you might otherwise not be able to get to.”
Image credits: daisyspencer
But the internet didn’t quite receive her testimony in the way she might’ve expected to, reacting with a mix of mockery, concern, and disbelief.
“Therapy? But why?” one person asked. “Couldn’t you have just given them the money instead?”
Image credits: daisyspencer
Others took shots at Rodrigo, joking about the supposed mind-breaking pressure that working for her must entail.
“I bet they’d need it after being around her for so long,” a reader said, while another asked, “Is it due to having to listen to her for so long?”
Fans compared Rodrigo's treatment of her crew to Sabrina Carpenter's
Image credits: daisyspencer
Not all comments were negative, however those that were positive were always mixed with a bit of snark. For instance, some turned the moment into an opportunity to compare Rodrigo with other pop stars, specifically Sabrina Carpenter.
“Meanwhile Sabrina is undressing in front of minors at her tour. Oh Olivia, you will always be better,” one user wrote.
“Sabrina is forcing her entire team to do Juno s*x positions during her tour,” another added.
Rodrigo, known for her emotional lyrics, has been described by some as a voice for Gen Z heartache. Still, even her most loyal listeners couldn’t help but chuckle at the behind-the-scenes revelation that made her tour sound like a crisis center.
Image credits: crazyinIqve
The singer’s history with therapy isn’t surface-level, however. Mental health has been a part of her life from a young age, largely because of her father, Chris Rodrigo, who is a licensed family therapist.
Growing up with a parent in the profession gave Olivia a unique window into the importance of emotional well-being and the value of professional support.
Image credits: crazyinIqve
In a 2021 interview with CBS Sunday Morning, the singer explained that while her songs might sound heartbroken, it’s a deliberate choice to make her music more impactful and connect with audiences.
“If I was just writing about how I was happy, going to get my iced latte every morning, nobody would listen to it,” she said.
The guitarist called Rodrigo "the dreamiest boss" she's ever had
From behind-the-scenes toxicity and stressful schedules, to drama or issues the fans might not know, the lack of further explanation by the guitarist only fueled speculation online.
Spencer, for her part, had only good things to say about her experience working with Rodrigo.
“It’s such a gift to be able to look within yourself and have someone else help you bring stuff out that you wouldn’t get to on your own,” she said.
Image credits: oliviarodrigo
The Guts World Tour, which began in early 2024, has taken Rodrigo across Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas. She recently made headlines for performing with The Cure’s Robert Smith at Glastonbury and bringing Ed Sheeran onstage at Hyde Park.
The tour has been described as tightly run and high-energy, with a massive team responsible for keeping the production moving city to city. For many artists, that level of intensity can wear down even the most seasoned crew.
Putting speculation to rest, Spencer closed the podcast by calling Rodrigo “literally the dreamiest boss of all time,” a title she seemed to genuinely mean.
"Congrats!" Beyond the memes, many netizens praised the singer for taking care of her crew
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