Crew members of Olivia Rodrigo's entourage are being offered therapy classes.
Olivia Rodrigo's "Guts World Tour," which spanned Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America from February 2024, has made headlines for more than just her electrifying performances. The 22-year-old singer has taken a significant step towards prioritising mental health in the music industry by providing free therapy sessions for her entire band and crew.
Daisy Spencer, Rodrigo's guitarist, revealed this initiative on the "StageLeft Podcast." Spencer, who has taken advantage of the free therapy sessions, described them as "one of the coolest things that has ever happened on tour." She also emphasised the rarity and value of such support in the music industry, where professionals often face pressures such as financial instability, isolation, and demanding schedules.
Rodrigo's emphasis on mental health is not a coincidence. Her father, Chris Rodrigo, works as a family therapist, and she has previously spoken publicly about the importance of therapy in her own life. In an interview with CBS in 2021, Rodrigo addressed the stereotype that she is "a really sad, depressed person," clarifying that she is not crying on the floor of her bedroom all the time.
The free therapy sessions, which are available to the entire tour staff, not just during the tour period, but also when the band is not on the road, have been described as "the best things you can give people" by Spencer. This move has been praised for its groundbreaking approach to addressing mental health challenges in the industry. It aligns with emerging services like the Music Industry Therapy Collective (MITC), which offers specialized support systems for music professionals.
One of the standout performances of the "Guts World Tour" was a duet with The Cure frontman Robert Smith at the Glastonbury Festival at the end of June. Rodrigo's emotional songs, which come from her joy in writing about such topics, have resonated with fans worldwide, and her initiative to prioritise mental health support for her team is a testament to her compassionate leadership.
Spencer, who described Rodrigo as "the most dreamlike boss of all time," expressed her gratitude for the singer's commitment to mental health. With this initiative, Rodrigo has set a precedent for other artists to prioritise mental health support for their teams, potentially revolutionising the way the music industry approaches mental health.
- Olivia Rodrigo's dedication to mental health extends beyond her music, as she provides her band and crew with access to free therapies and treatments, a move that aligns with emerging services like the Music Industry Therapy Collective (MITC).
- Science and psychology intertwine in the music industry, as evidenced by Olivia Rodrigo's commitment to mental health, which is inspired by her father's profession as a family therapist and her own experiences with therapy.
- The 'Guts World Tour' is not just about entertainment, music, or pop music; it's also a platform for promoting lifestyle changes aimed at improving mental health and wellness, as demonstrated by Olivia Rodrigo's initiative to offer free therapy sessions to her entire team.
