Olivia Rodrigo, Riot Grrrls, and the Return of the “Sexy Baby” Panic

Olivia Rodrigo performing on stage in a babydoll dress that sparked online debate, later prompting the singer to speak out about the sexualisation of girlhood and double standards facing young women.

When Olivia Rodrigo wore a — shock horror! — babydoll dress on stage earlier this month, the backlash was swift and severe. The 23-year-old singer was accused of everything from adopting a “Lolita” persona to leaning into “pedo-core.”

Collectively, we could’ve recognised the well-worn style as a reference to alternative girlhood aesthetics — as was Rodrigo’s now-confirmed intention — but no. Instead, the babydoll dress debacle became supposed evidence that she was deliberately attempting to infantilise herself for male consumption.