Even when you are a multi-platinum, Grammy-winning pop sensation headlining one of the most prestigious music festivals in the world, you can still get upstaged in your own household by the heavy-hitting riffs of 1990s nu-metal.
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo revealed that her mother, Jennifer, hilariously abandoned her during the biggest performance of her career to watch Bakersfield metal legends Korn instead.
While appearing on the late-night talk show to promote her latest creative endeavors, Rodrigo opened up about her parents’ deeply curated and surprisingly heavy musical background. Though Rodrigo’s own alternative-pop catalog has famously drawn influence from 1990s riot grrrl and indie rock—leading her to collaborate with icons like The Breeders and duet with The Cure’s Robert Smith at Glastonbury—she confessed her mother’s tastes lean into much heavier sonic territories.
“My mom likes so many crazy metal bands, actually, which you would never guess just looking at her,” Rodrigo told host Jimmy Kimmel.
The Ultimate Lollapalooza Clash
The ultimate test of family loyalty occurred last summer at Lollapalooza in Chicago, where Rodrigo had reached a major career milestone by securing a coveted headlining slot. Due to the multi-stage nature of major festivals, headlining acts are frequently scheduled to perform simultaneously on opposite sides of the grounds to split the massive crowds.
As fate would have it, Rodrigo’s set directly conflicted with Korn’s headlining performance on the other side of Grant Park.
“I headlined Lollapalooza last year which was so awesome and such a dream of mine,” Rodrigo explained. “But they have, like, headliners go at the same time. On this specific day it was me and Korn headlining at the same time on like opposite stages.”
At the time, organizers assumed the stark stylistic contrast between the two artists would create a seamless split among the festival-goers, minimizing any difficult choices for the fans.
“And everyone’s like, ‘Oh, that’s perfect.’ You know, the Olivia fans will go see Olivia, the Korn fans will go see Korn,” Rodrigo laughed. “You know, there’s really no overlap. But there was one overlap—and it was my mom.”
Unshaken by the scheduling conflict and eager to witness Jonathan Davis and company blast through timeless anthems like “Blind” and “Freak on a Leash,” Mama Rodrigo made her choice clear.
“My mom skipped my show to go see Korn,” Rodrigo smiled, proving that nu-metal still reigns supreme in her family home.
