Olivia Rodrigo Caught in Taylor Swift Feud Rumor—Bluebird Café Speaks Out Amid Backlash

A new wave of controversy engulfed Olivia Rodrigo this week after rumors exploded online suggesting the young starlet had intentionally erased Taylor Swift’s presence from her Bluebird Café performance—a venue that holds deep roots in Swift’s own rise to fame.

The viral drama began when a Bluebird Café employee appeared in a video claiming that Rodrigo and her team requested all visible images of Taylor Swift be taken down before her set. The claim, posted on X (formerly Twitter), immediately sparked outrage and fueled long-standing speculation that there’s been unresolved tension between the two pop singers.

Fans were quick to react. The idea that Rodrigo—who once openly idolized Swift—would go so far as to have her image removed from the Nashville landmark sent Swifties and Livies into a frenzy. Many saw it as the latest chapter in what’s been a complex, often speculative narrative about the duo’s once-adoring relationship turned distant.

But within hours of the story catching fire, the Bluebird Café’s general manager, Erika Wollam Nichols, issued a rare and direct statement to set the record straight.

“Olivia’s people did not ask us to remove an image of Taylor Swift. Nobody did,” Nichols clarified in a video posted online. “We removed an image of Taylor Swift that was in a position where the filming was taking place. When we have filmings, we are required legally to remove images that are under copyright.”

She emphasized that the removal had “nothing to do with any conflict between artists” and was strictly a legal precaution, not a personal slight. “Taylor’s headshot is still there. Her chair is still there. We honor her. We love her,” she added, calling the employee’s viral comment “careless and haphazard.”

The Bluebird Café, a historic Nashville venue where Taylor Swift was famously discovered, has long been a sacred space for songwriters and fans alike. That legacy made the rumor especially potent, as it played directly into the cultural mythology surrounding Swift’s early career.

Rodrigo’s relationship with Swift has fascinated fans since 2021, when Rodrigo skyrocketed to fame with her debut single “Driver’s License.” At the time, she was vocal about her admiration for Swift, calling her “the kindest individual in the whole world” and crediting her as a creative influence. She even shared Instagram posts fangirling over chart placements alongside Swift’s “Evermore.”

But cracks in that public admiration began to show after songwriting credits on Rodrigo’s debut album SOUR drew attention. Swift, along with Jack Antonoff and St. Vincent, received retroactive credit for “Deja Vu” due to melodic similarities with Swift’s “Cruel Summer.” Though Rodrigo initially praised the interpolation process, later interviews hinted at frustration.

“It was really frustrating to see people discredit and deny my creativity,” Rodrigo said in a Teen Vogue follow-up. “I think it’s disappointing to see people take things out of context and discredit any young woman’s work.”

Her producer, Dan Nigro, added, “It seems like people get funny about things when songs become really popular”—a comment many interpreted as a veiled reference to Swift’s team seeking credit only after SOUR’s breakout success.

Since then, Rodrigo has distanced herself from Swift in public. Once-prominent interactions—like gushing comments, joint promotions, and award show selfies—have all but disappeared. Even Rodrigo’s close friend Conan Gray, who previously joined her in celebrating Swift’s album releases, stopped publicly acknowledging Swift after the crediting controversy.

Still, some fans held onto hope. Swift was spotted singing along to Rodrigo’s performances at award shows, suggesting any friction might be overblown or one-sided. But the viral Bluebird Café claim reopened old wounds, prompting renewed debate about whether the two stars are truly at odds—or simply victims of the internet’s endless appetite for drama.

The employee who made the original claim has not commented further, and the Bluebird Café has not confirmed whether disciplinary action was taken. However, Nichols made it clear that the narrative needed correcting: “We support all songwriters, all artists, and give them equal share.”

As for Rodrigo, she has not publicly addressed the latest rumor. But if history is any indicator, she’s likely to let the music—and her songwriting—speak for itself.

Whether the public sees this as a misunderstanding or another subtle chapter in an evolving industry rivalry remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: when Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo are involved, fans will always be listening—closely.