The FT’s US media correspondent Anna Nicolaou keeps hearing this lament from music executives: that Olivia Rodrigo could be the last pop superstar. They worry that no one has broken through with such ferocity since. On today’s show, Anna tells us what they mean, what the trends reflect, and whether she believes the prediction. Plus, Anna and Lilah reflect on why Rodrigo has gotten so big, and the gap she’s filling in our culture.

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We love hearing from you. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap and we’re on X @lifeandartpod. You can email us at lifeandart@ft.com. We are grateful for reviews, on Apple, Spotify, etc.

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Links (all FT links get you past the paywall):

– Anna’s column about Olivia Rodrigo is here: https://on.ft.com/3UgPFkp

– You can follow Anna on X @annaknicolaou

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Clip in this episode is from Petroblivion on YouTube.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Why Olivia Rodrigo might be our last pop superstar

Life and Art from FT Weekend