"Olivia Rodrigo, the most affectionate boss, covered therapy costs for her tour crew"
In a groundbreaking move, 22-year-old pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo has prioritised the mental health of her touring crew by offering free professional therapy sessions throughout her "Guts World Tour." Spanning 102 shows across multiple continents from February 2024 to early June, this initiative was overseen by Rodrigo and her tour manager, Marty Hom.
The extent of partnerships behind this initiative remains undisclosed, but it is clear that Rodrigo directly funded the therapy sessions for her entire crew. This move aligns with broader mental health advocacy efforts in the music industry, such as the Music Industry Therapy Collective (MITC), which offers specialized support services for music professionals.
The impact of Rodrigo's initiative is substantial. The provision of free therapy sessions addressed a significant barrier—cost—highlighted by Rodrigo's rhythm guitarist, Daisy Spencer, who noted that therapy can be expensive. This move sets a new standard for mental health support in the music industry, which is often plagued by mental health challenges due to demanding touring schedules and lifestyle factors.
The initiative had a profound personal impact on Spencer, helping her to "flesh out some stuff from my childhood" and reigniting her commitment to therapy. Spencer described Rodrigo as "the dreamiest boss of all time" during a podcast appearance on "The StageLeft Podcast."
Rodrigo's actions have been hailed as generous and groundbreaking, potentially signalling a shift toward more humane and supportive tour environments across the industry. Other artists, such as Lewis Capaldi and Ariana Grande, have also partnered with organisations to provide mental health support to their fans and peers. Capaldi has partnered with BetterHelp to provide 734,000 hours of free online therapy, while Grande has partnered with the platform multiple times in the past.
Rodrigo's therapy sessions were held once a week, once every other week, or whenever possible, and were available even during the tour's off time. The tour included a successful headlining set at Glastonbury, where the Cure's Robert Smith joined them on stage. The "Guts" world tour ended on July 1.
Rodrigo has been very open about her therapy experiences, and her father, Chris Rodrigo, is a family therapist. Rodrigo started therapy at the age of 16 and has continued to prioritise her mental health throughout her career. Her openness about mental health issues, coupled with her initiative to provide therapy for her crew, underscores the importance of addressing mental health challenges in the music industry, where musicians are more prone to depression and anxiety compared to the general population.
- In a nod to mental health advocacy, music icon Olivia Rodrigo has organized free therapy sessions for her touring crew, underlining her commitment to the well-being of her team.
- Setting a new standard in the industry, Rodrigo's initiative addresses the financial barrier often associated with therapy, as highlighted by rhythm guitarist Daisy Spencer.
- Amidst the bustling entertainment scene in Los Angeles, California, this move towards prioritizing mental health in the music industry is taking center stage.
- Following the footsteps of other celebrities such as Lewis Capaldi and Ariana Grande, Rodrigo's actions are recognized for their potential to revolutionize the touring environment, championing a more supportive and humane approach.
- As part of her dedication to mental health, Rodrigo has partnered with health-and-wellness organizations to ensure her crew's continuous access to therapy, signaling a promising change in the entertainment sector.
