Pop stars Olivia Rodrigo and Conan Gray share a close friendship filled with chemistry, but when it comes to advising each other about music, their instincts have not always been reliable. The two artists revealed in a recent interview that they have occasionally discouraged one another from releasing songs that later turned out to be major hits.
Rodrigo Doubted Conan’s Biggest Hit
Speaking to Interview Magazine, Rodrigo, 22, recalled that she once told Gray that “Memories” a song that eventually became the standout track from his Superache album was not one of his strongest works.
“We notoriously give each other bad advice sometimes about samples. On Superache, you played me ‘Memories’, which turned out to be the biggest hit on the album. Everyone loved it. And I remember hearing it for the first time and being like, ‘I just think you have better songs’,” Rodrigo admitted.
Gray Questioned Rodrigo’s “Vampire”
Gray, 26, returned the favor when Rodrigo was preparing to release her second album Guts. He doubted her choice of “Vampire” as the lead single despite the track later topping charts and becoming a smash hit.
Rodrigo recalled: “When I played you Guts, I played you ‘Vampire’, and I was like, ‘Isn’t this good?’ And he’s like, ‘Not for a first single.’” Reflecting on their repeated misjudgments, she added: “We’re notoriously wrong about each other’s songs. We’re just too close to it and can’t see the forest for the trees.” Despite their poor track record as critics of each other’s work, both artists emphasized that their friendship remains strong and supportive.
Rodrigo’s Family Are Big Conan Gray Fans
During the same conversation, Rodrigo revealed that her family—especially her mother—are devoted fans of Gray’s music. She mentioned that her mom was particularly fond of his song “Vodka Cranberry.”
“My mom loved it. My mom’s such a huge Conan fan. My whole family, actually. They travel miles to see you in concert,” Rodrigo shared.
A Friendship Built on Music and Shared Moments
Rodrigo and Gray first met five years ago under unusual circumstances. Gray mistakenly thought Rodrigo’s invitation for a “COVID walk” came from another Olivia he knew from his hometown in Texas, leading him to ghost her. Fortunately, producer Dan Nigro later arranged a dinner where the two properly connected.
Since then, their bond has only grown stronger. The singer-songwriters have performed together, appeared in each other’s TikTok videos, and even walked red carpets at high-profile events like the Met Gala side by side.
