4 Pinoy-Coded Moments From Olivia Rodrigo’s New Era, So Far
After three long years, a new Olivia Rodrigo album is on its way. Her third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love is said feature sad love songs that explore the feeling of being in love while also dealing with a lingering sadness and insecurities rooted in a relationship‘s challenges.
Given how Olivia’s past two albums, SOUR and GUTS, have made an impact on Gen Z with their memorable sound and heartbreaking yet honest and relatable lyrics, her latest LP looks to do the same. Add to that she’s going on a world tour later this year and next, which we hope will include a stop in the Philippines, and we’re in a full-blown Olivia Rodrigo era.
But as she gears up to release her anticipated third album, Olivia has also been channeling her inner Filipino a lot more for the LP’s promotions. The Grammy-winning musician has been open in talking about her Filipino roots even during her Disney Channel days, but whether it be fun references or mentions, OR3 has had its fair share of Pinoy-coded moments from the Gen Z star. See some of those highlights below.
RELATED: All of Olivia Rodrigo’s Looks at the GUTS Tour
Releasing the Album on Philippine Independence Day
Fans won’t have to wait too long for Olivia’s new album, as you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love will drop on June 12. And while the album’s release date was probably timed to coincide with the start of the summer season in the US, we can’t help but notice that the LP is also dropping on Philippine Independence Day. It’s a coincidence, but a fun one at that as an unintended nod to her Filipino side.
Working With a Filipino Photographer
The internet was abuzz when Olivia dropped the announcement of her new single drop dead. But what most may not know is that the single art was shot by a Filipino photographer. Olivia tapped the services of a Filipino creative when she had Los Angeles-based photographer Adrian Martin shoot the single art. Adrian, who was born and raised in Cavite and moved to the US in 2014, has made a name for himself shooting celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Connor Storrie by capturing their moments before heading to a red carpet or event.
“I think as an immigrant in general, you tend to be more of an observer than a performer. I think being an immigrant, I know how to read the room and as Filipino, I think I’m very kind and I know how to work with people,” he shared in an interview. “I know when to step in and when to not. I just think reading the room is so important these days and I think some people don’t have that skill.”
Adrian’s style is known to be laidback and raw, forgoing intricate studio set-ups for candid portraits and imagery, which fit drop dead’s cover art of a close-up shot of Olivia wearing a white top and blowing bubble gum.
Holding Karaoke Parties Around the World
There are few things as culturally Filipino as karaoke. Olivia herself has said that she feels most Filipino when she does karaoke, adding that Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and ABBA’s Dancing Queen are her go-to tracks. So, it wasn’t that surprising when, in celebration of drop dead’s release, she organized karaoke parties in secret locations around the world, including in Manila. The fact that the Philippine karaoke party was the only event she posted on her Instagram feed should tell you as much. As a cherry on top, she is also selling a karaoke mic on her official shop.
When Olivia Made Chicken Lumpia
One of the first moments that signaled the start of Olivia’s newest career chapter was, quite fittingly, her making lumpia. As part of her cover shoot with British Vogue earlier this year, Olivia showed off her cooking skills on an episode of Now Serving with British Vogue when she made chicken lumpia. The Filipino-American artist shared that she has fond memories of the staple Filipino dish, saying that her grandmother would make the comfort food for her family on Thanksgiving. “My grandma used to make them for Thanksgiving every year and so that was probably my first introduction to lumpia,” she shared.
Featured Image and Photos: OLIVIA RODRIGO (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
As Olivia transitions into her “OR3” era, she has increasingly channeled her heritage through deliberate cultural references. From her promotional activities to her creative collaborations, this new chapter has featured several “Pinoy-coded” moments—such as making chicken lumpia for British Vogue—that resonate deeply with her Filipino fanbase.
The choice to tap Adrian Martin, a Filipino creative born and raised in Cavite, underscores a “by Filipinos, for Filipinos” energy on the global stage. Martin’s laid-back and raw photography style provided the perfect candid aesthetic for the single’s cover art, while his personal narrative as an immigrant “observer” adds a layer of cultural depth to the collaboration.
Recognizing that karaoke is a quintessential Filipino pastime, Olivia celebrated the release of “drop dead” by organizing secret karaoke parties in locations around the world. Most notably, the party in Manila was the only one she highlighted on her main Instagram feed, further cementing her connection to the local “Livies” and her own self-professed love for the activity.
Olivia’s third studio album is set to drop on June 12, 2026. While the date aligns with the US summer music season, Filipino fans quickly noted that it coincides with Philippine Independence Day. This “fun coincidence” has been embraced by the community as a symbolic, if unintended, nod to her Filipino identity.
In a British Vogue “Now Serving” segment, Olivia shared that lumpia was her first introduction to Filipino food, traditionally prepared by her grandmother for Thanksgiving. By showcasing her skills in making the dish while teasing her new music, she effectively blended her grandmother’s “comfort food” legacy with her current evolution as a global pop icon.
The post 4 Pinoy-Coded Moments From Olivia Rodrigo’s New Era, So Far first appeared on MEGA.
4 Pinoy-Coded Moments From Olivia Rodrigo’s New Era, So Far
Trending Updates Central
No comments: