Born on February 20, 2003, in Murrieta, California, Rodrigo grew up in Temecula. Her father is of Filipino descent, and her mother has German and Irish ancestry. From a young age, she exhibited a passion for music and performance, taking singing and acting lessons early on and later adding piano to her repertoire. She began writing songs during her childhood, laying the foundation for her future in music.
Rodrigo’s acting career commenced with her role as Grace in the 2015 film An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success. She gained further recognition portraying Paige Olvera in the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark (2016–2019) and as Nini Salazar-Roberts in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019–2022).
Her transition to music was marked by the release of her debut single “Drivers License” in January 2021. The song achieved massive success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the first track to surpass one billion streams in 2021. This success was followed by her debut album Sour, which solidified her status in the music industry.
In September 2023, Rodrigo released her sophomore album Guts, showcasing her growth as an artist. The album, featuring tracks like “Vampire” and “Bad Idea Right?“, received critical acclaim and led to her embarking on the Guts World Tour. This tour, spanning multiple continents, became the highest-grossing tour by an artist born in the 21st century, with over $184.6 million in revenue and 1.4 million tickets sold.
Rodrigo’s accolades include three Grammy Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, and recognition as Time’s “Entertainer of the Year” in 2021. She has also been honored as Billboard’s “Woman of the Year” and Variety’s “Songwriter of the Year”.
Beyond her musical achievements, Rodrigo has engaged in advocacy work, launching initiatives like Fund 4 Good to support women’s education and reproductive rights. Her journey from a Disney star to a pop sensation reflects her versatility and commitment to authenticity in her artistry.
