# Billy Corgan praises Olivia Rodrigo’s willingness to embrace imperfection

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/billy-corgan-on-his-respect-for-olivia-rodrigo-shes-not-afraid/
- Published: 2026-10-26T19:08:54+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T19:16:20+00:00
- Original publisher: NME
- Original article: https://www.nme.com/news/music/billy-corgan-on-his-respect-for-olivia-rodrigo-shes-not-afraid-3974291?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=billy-corgan-on-his-respect-for-olivia-rodrigo-shes-not-afraid
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Billy Corgan praised Rodrigo’s fearless, imperfect songwriting.
- The pair performed “Thirty-Three” at Lollapalooza in August.
- Other rock figures, including Mick Jagger, have praised her.

## Summary

Billy Corgan has praised Olivia Rodrigo for writing freely and embracing imperfections, saying she is “not afraid” to draw on different influences. His comments add to support for the singer from established rock musicians and reflect his view that pop performers should be as authentic as rock artists.

Speaking on The New York Times’ Popcast, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman called Rodrigo smart and savvy, and said she was willing to leave a vocal slightly out of tune. He brought her on stage at Lollapalooza in August to perform the band’s “Thirty-Three”; Mick Jagger, Jack White and Robert Smith have also praised her. Rodrigo is promoting her third album and recently joined Chappell Roan on a remix of “Expectations”.

## Coverage

- [NME: Billy Corgan praises Olivia Rodrigo’s willingness to embrace imperfection](https://www.nme.com/news/music/billy-corgan-on-his-respect-for-olivia-rodrigo-shes-not-afraid-3974291?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=billy-corgan-on-his-respect-for-olivia-rodrigo-shes-not-afraid)
- [Far Out: Billy Corgan praises “authentic” Olivia Rodrigo](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/billy-corgan-praises-authentic-popstar-olivia-rodrigo/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.