The feud between Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter became one of the biggest pop culture moments in early 2021, largely fueled by speculation that Carpenter’s song Skin was a direct response to Rodrigo’s Drivers License. Fans quickly connected the dots, believing that Skin was Sabrina’s way of addressing the drama surrounding Olivia’s hit single. But what led to this theory, and is there any truth to it?
At the heart of the speculation was the rumored love triangle involving Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, and Sabrina Carpenter. Olivia’s Drivers License, which became a massive hit in early 2021, tells the emotional story of heartbreak and longing after a breakup. Fans speculated that the song was about her High School Musical: The Musical: The Series co-star Joshua Bassett, who was rumored to be dating Sabrina Carpenter at the time.
The lyrics in Drivers License reference a “blonde girl” who is “so much older” and seemingly the reason behind Rodrigo’s heartbreak. Many fans interpreted this as a reference to Carpenter, who is blonde and four years older than Rodrigo.
Shortly after Drivers License dominated the charts, Sabrina Carpenter released Skin, a song that appeared to respond to the narrative Olivia had created. Some key lyrics that fueled the theory include:
Sabrina Carpenter later addressed the speculation, stating that Skin was not solely about Drivers License. In an Instagram post, she explained that the song was more about embracing her own truth rather than directly responding to Olivia. She also clarified that she had no ill intentions and that Skin was not a diss track.
Despite this, the timing of the release and the lyrics made it hard for fans to believe it was merely a coincidence. The speculation added more fuel to the ongoing drama and made both songs even more popular.
Whether or not Skin was a direct reply to Drivers License, the drama undoubtedly boosted interest in both songs. Olivia Rodrigo went on to release SOUR, a record-breaking debut album, while Sabrina Carpenter solidified her place in pop music with later hits like Feather and Espresso. The supposed rivalry between the two artists remains one of the most talked-about moments in recent pop music history.
While Sabrina Carpenter has denied that Skin was a diss track aimed at Olivia Rodrigo, the timing and lyrical content made it difficult for fans to ignore the connection. The drama surrounding Drivers License and Skin added to the intrigue, making both songs iconic moments in modern pop culture. Whether intentional or not, this situation helped both artists gain more attention and solidify their careers in the music industry.
