When Olivia Rodrigo floated over the heads of more than 50,000 concertgoers on a crescent-moon lift, suspended from the rafters at Philippine Arena, she couldn’t help but get a little bit choked up.
“Someday I’ll be everything to somebody else,” she sang, her voice wavering as she pushed through the final lines of Sour‘s “Enough for You.”
For the fans in the crowd witnessing her deeply meaningful first-ever performance in the Philippines, the 21-year-old pop star — who is half Filipina — was certainly more than enough. In addition to making the Oct. 5 concert a Silver Star Show, allowing everyone in attendance to purchase seats for less than $30 in U.S. currency, Rodrigo also donated all the net ticket proceeds to Jhpiego, a charity with global reach providing life-saving care to combat cervical cancer, malaria, HIV, complications from pregnancy and childbirth, and more conditions. Plus, the three-time Grammy winner visited the organization’s office in Manila to discuss women’s health and reproductive rights, both of which Rodrigo has championed throughout 2024 with her own Fund 4 Good.
The entire thing was thanks in large part to a crucial partnership between Rodrigo and American Express, which has been working with the “Vampire” musician throughout her eight-month Guts World Tour. Before the run kicked off in February, the bank holding company facilitated the run’s Early Access ticket sale online and, ahead of the Sept. 8 release of Rodrigo’s Billboard 200-topping sophomore LP Guts, sponsored an album-themed pop-up for fans to explore in New York City.
“We’ve had an incredible year working with Olivia to provide special access and moments to our Card Members,” reflects American Express’ Shiz Suzuki, vp of global brand sponsorships and experiential marketing, in a statement to Billboard. “Now we get to back her as she visits the Philippines for the first time where she has deep family roots, performs for her community and films content of her experience as a Filipina American in Manila to share with her fans worldwide.”
With only a handful of Guts dates left on her schedule and the Philippines concert in the books, Rodrigo has learned a lot since embarking on her first-ever arena tour this year. Below, the star opens up about her time abroad, life on the road, new music and more in a brief conversation with Billboard via email:
This is your first-ever concert in the Philippines. How is that milestone particularly special to you as a Filipino-American musician?
I’m so excited to be teaming up with American Express to bring the GUTS World Tour to Manila. This is such a special milestone for me to not only be visiting the Philippines for the first time but performing here for my fans. As part of this tour, I’ve had the chance to visit so many cool places I’ve never been before and play songs that I’ve been living with for so long, and the energy from the fans has been magical. I’m so proud of my Filipino heritage, so being able to bring this experience to the Philippines means the world to me.
In addition to making your Philippines stop a Silver Star show, you previously implemented Silver Star sales in North America. Why is it important to you to give fans a chance to see you for affordable prices?
It brings me so much joy to perform in front of my fans. We sing, we scream and we dance. I wanted to make this a Silver Star show in honor of my first time visiting the Philippines. All the net ticket sales from the show will go to my Fund 4 Good to help support Jhpiego and the incredible work they’re doing for reproductive healthcare in the Philippines. It’s been a dream to partner with American Express to help make this show possible.
Have you been writing songs while on the road? I know you haven’t even finished the tour yet, but can you give any hints about what your next album/new music will be like?
Writing songs is really therapeutic for me, so I’m always noodling around making stuff even when I’m not in the studio making an album. I’m definitely going to take a little vacation after this tour though! I’m trying not to put too much pressure on anything right now.
I saw you perform at Madison Square Garden in April and was so impressed. I also couldn’t stop thinking about how overwhelming it must be at 21 to have all those people – fellow performers, crew, venue workers, fans – be there just for you. What’s it like to lead such a massive enterprise, and what have you done to stay sane throughout the Guts Tour?
It’s overwhelming — in the best way — to work with such a large, incredible crew and put shows on every night in front of big audiences. Everyone’s energy is really inspiring and makes me want to bring my all every night. That being said, sometimes it can get very overstimulating. I’ve learned so much about how to take care of myself by being on the road. You have to prioritize rest and sleep and alone time, otherwise you start to go a little crazy.
What have you learned on the Guts Tour that you want to apply to your next tour down the line? Is there anything you’ll do differently?
The Guts World Tour was my first-ever arena tour and I learned so much, not only about performing and taking care of myself, but about being a part of a team. It was so much fun to have a little traveling tour family for so many months and I’m going to miss everyone dearly. The only thing I can think to do differently next time is to not overpack. My luggage is bursting at the seams!