The rumors of a long-simmering feud between Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo resurfaced with a vengeance when a viral social media video claimed that the creator of the hit "Driver's License" had requested the Bluebird Café to excise all traces of the pop superstar's imagery ahead of her performance. Supposedly, an employee at the café was overheard acknowledging that they had been instructed to eradicate "any visible reminder of Taylor Swift" prior to Rodrigo's 2023 gig there.
Amidst a flurry of conjectures, Erica Nichols, the general manager and COO, stepped forward on Wednesday to clarify the matter once and for all via X. "Indeed, we hosted a filming session with Olivia Rodrigo here. However, Olivia's team did not solicit the removal of any Taylor Swift imagery. No one did," Nichols asserted. "The Taylor Swift photograph that was taken down was situated precisely where the filming was occurring," she elaborated.
"Whenever we undertake filmings, we are legally bound to excise any copyrighted images. We do not own those images, thus we cannot authorize their usage in any form of broadcast. This was the sole rationale behind the photograph's removal," she continued. Nichols contended that the employee who floated the rumors had "spoken carelessly and whimsically about it, perhaps attempting to be humorous—I'm not sure. Regardless, the image was excised for legal purposes."
The manager sought to dispel any misunderstanding, stating, "Please comprehend that this was in no way a spat between two artists. We champion all songwriters and artists alike, granting them equal reverence. Taylor is a cherished friend of the Bluebird, held in the highest esteem. We were delighted to welcome Olivia here, and know that both occupy a lofty pedestal in our regard."
The whispers of discord between these pop titans commenced when Rodrigo faced criticism for echoing Swift's "Cruel Summer" in her tune "Deja Vu," which bore a striking resemblance. Though neither artist has addressed these accusations, they drifted apart shortly after the rumors of a rift began to circulate.
