Latest news with #Olivia Rodrigo
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Olivia Rodrigo Speaks Out Against ‘Horrific & Completely Unacceptable' Conditions in Palestine
Olivia Rodrigo is speaking up about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In a message posted to her Instagram Story over the weekend, the pop star shared her thoughts on the 'horrific and completely unacceptable' conditions families in Palestine have been facing for nearly two years. Hunger and homelessness have run rampant in Gaza since Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 more as hostages on Oct. 7, 2023, after which Israel launched a war on the terrorist group that has resulted in the deaths of more than 58,000 people, according to Reuters. More from Billboard Lana Del Rey Says She Prays for Palestine 'Every Day' While Showing Support for Texas Flood Victims 'Been Busy': Tame Impala Teases New Music With Social Media Update Doja Cat, Tems, J Balvin & Coldplay Join Forces for Unifying FIFA Club World Cup Final Halftime Show Performance 'there are no words to describe the heartbreak I feel witnessing the devastation that is being inflicted upon innocent people in Palestine,' Rodrigo began. 'mothers, fathers and children in Gaza are starving, dehydrated and being denied access to basic medical care and humanitarian aid.' 'there is no child in Israel, Palestine or anywhere in the world who deserves to suffer through what we're seeing these children have to endure,' she continued. 'it is horrific and completely unacceptable. to give up on them is to give up on our shared humanity.' The Grammy winner went on to share that she has donated to Unicef to 'help support the victims of this horrifying situation,' adding that she encourages followers 'to do the same if you have the means.' Rodrigo is just the latest artist to speak up about the violence in Gaza. In recent weeks, Lana Del Rey has said that she prays for Palestine 'every day,' while Billie Eilish disavowed Israel's plan to forcibly relocate about 2 million Palestinians to a 'humanitarian city' built on the ruins of Rafah, calling the concept 'horrifying.' The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series alum has also long been outspoken when it comes to her beliefs, from endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election to using her shows to protest attacks on reproductive freedom. In February last year, Rodrigo launched her Fund 4 Good, which raises money for abortion funds across the globe — an undertaking that led Planned Parenthood to honor her with a Catalyst for Change award at the organization's spring gala in April. 'We live in a world that politicizes our bodies and uses harmful ideologies to deny us safety and healthcare,' Rodrigo said during her speech at the event. 'My greatest wish is that through organizations like Planned Parenthood and the action of everyday citizens, no woman will need to sacrifice her dreams, her health or humanity because of restrictive laws or lack of resources.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Olivia Rodrigo Speaks Out for Palestine: 'To Give Up on Them Is to Give Up on Our Shared Humanity'
Olivia Rodrigo has officially added her voice to the growing chorus of celebrities speaking out on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and she's not holding back. In a raw and emotional Instagram story posted Saturday, the Guts singer addressed the suffering of Palestinian civilians with unflinching clarity, writing: 'There are no words to describe the heartbreak I feel witnessing the devastation that is being inflicted upon innocent people in Palestine. Mothers, fathers, and children in Gaza are starving, dehydrated, and being denied access to basic medical care and humanitarian aid.' Rodrigo continued, calling out the global failure to protect innocent lives: 'There is no child in Israel, Palestine, or anywhere in the world who deserves to suffer through what we're seeing these children have to endure. It is horrific and completely unacceptable. To give up on them is to give up on our shared humanity.' The 21-year-old pop phenomenon concluded her statement with a call to action, revealing that she had made a donation to UNICEF USA and encouraged her 36 million followers to do the same: 'I have made a donation to UNICEF to help support the victims of this horrifying situation and encourage you to do the same if you have the means.' Alongside her statement, Rodrigo included a swipe-up link to the UNICEF USA website, an organization that has been providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian children in Gaza and the West Bank since the early 1980s. According to UNICEF, their work in the region includes access to clean water and sanitation, education, medical care, psychosocial support, and emergency relief. Since the escalation of the conflict, their staff in Gaza and Jerusalem have been working under dire circumstances to deliver aid and protect children amid what the UN has repeatedly described as 'a humanitarian catastrophe.' This isn't the first time Rodrigo has taken a bold stance on human rights. Her growing reputation as one of Gen Z's most socially aware celebrities is rooted in a long list of activism that spans reproductive justice, education access, immigrant rights, and racial justice. Rodrigo has: Advocated for reproductive freedom after the overturning of Roe v. Wade Promoted girls' education and immigrant rights through multiple nonprofit partnerships Urged fans to get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic Publicly supported the Black Lives Matter movement Participated in the viral #NoKings protest against the monarchy in 2025 Partnered with HeadCount to promote voter registration at her concerts Now, she's adding Palestinian children to that list. Rodrigo's statement immediately lit social media ablaze, sparking praise, criticism, and heartfelt reactions across platforms. Her decision to speak up, while cautiously worded to acknowledge children on both sides of the conflict, received a wide spectrum of responses. Some fans were moved by her courage: 'Olivia Rodrigo always knew u were the realest bitch in the industry,' one user tweeted. 'I don't want to hear anyone again speak on Olivia Rodrigo's name that she isn't a good person or do anything,' wrote another. Others, however, criticized the timing and phrasing of her message: 'It's been a year and a half since Israel began their genocide in Gaza. It's disappointing that it took Olivia Rodrigo this long to speak out and she still had to mention Israel in her post,' one user commented, reflecting ongoing tensions over celebrity silence and 'bothsidesism.' But many also pointed out the significance of a mainstream American pop star with Rodrigo's level of fame taking any stance at all: 'Olivia Rodrigo making her humanitarian stance known at her very young age in an industry of so-called activists and bullies. THIS IS THE NEW GENERATION,' one user tweeted emphatically. Information about the number of deaths in the Gaza war varies depending on the source and date of the report. The Gaza Health Ministry, which is administered by Hamas, reports that at least 57,762 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and July 9, 2025. Independent scholars estimate that 80% of these deaths are civilians. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported a similar toll, citing at least 57,680 deaths over the same period. When it comes to child casualties, UNICEF stated that more than 14,500 children have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war. The Gaza Ministry of Health places that number even higher, reporting that at least 17,400 children have died in Israeli attacks since October 2023. Rodrigo's statement arrives at a moment when silence is no longer an option for public figures with global platforms, especially those idolized by millions of young fans. The post Olivia Rodrigo Speaks Out for Palestine: 'To Give Up on Them Is to Give Up on Our Shared Humanity' appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.
