The Rumored Love Triangle Between Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo & Joshua Bassette
The internet has been buzzing with one question: Are Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo friends? Ever since Olivia Rodrigo’s breakout hit “Drivers License” took the world by storm in 2021, fans have been piecing together clues about her rumored love triangle with Joshua Bassett and Sabrina Carpenter.
The drama surrounding the song fueled endless speculation. But what is the real story about their relationship?
What Sparked the Rumors?
Olivia Rodrigo’s song “Drivers License” was the spark that lit the gossip tabloids ablaze. The emotional ballad, filled with longing and heartbreak, had fans wondering about its inspiration.
Marca / Rodrigo was reportedly dating her “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” co-star Joshua Bassett. But their romance fizzled out in 2020.
Around the same time, Joshua was rumored to be dating Sabrina Carpenter, which only added fuel to the fire.
The lyrics of “Drivers License” grabbed attention with lines like, “And you’re probably with that blonde girl / Who always made me doubt.” Fans quickly speculated that the “blonde girl” was Carpenter. Interestingly, an earlier version of the song featured the word “brunette” instead, leaving fans convinced that the lyric change was deliberate.
Are Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo Friends?
Things took another turn when Joshua Bassett released his single “Lie Lie Lie” just days after “Drivers License.” Although Joshua dismissed any connection between the songs, the timing made fans suspicious. But the biggest twist came when Sabrina Carpenter released Skin two weeks later, seemingly addressing the drama.
In “Skin,” Sabrina sings, “Maybe ‘blonde’ was the only rhyme,” and “You can try to get under my skin while he’s on mine.” Fans quickly interpreted the song as a response to “Drivers License.”
It felt like a direct rebuttal, but Sabrina later explained that the song wasn’t meant as a diss track, suggesting her intentions were misread.
Olivia Rodrigo Shuts Down the Rumors
Amid the swirling drama, Olivia Rodrigo clarified her side of the story. In March 2021, she told Radio.com that “Drivers License” wasn’t specifically about Sabrina Carpenter. She explained that while the song was personal, it wasn’t targeting anyone in particular. More importantly, Olivia revealed that she barely knew Sabrina, saying, “I think we’ve met once or twice in passing, but I’ve never had a conversation with her.”
GTN / Rodrigo clarifies she doesn’t know “much” about Sabrina Carpenter. “We might have met once or twice,” she says.
This statement flipped the narrative on its head. It wasn’t a feud between close acquaintances but rather a situation amplified by fan theories and online chatter. Olivia’s candor helped cool down the drama, though fans continued to speculate.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Take on the Situation
Sabrina Carpenter also weighed in, attempting to clear the air. In a now-deleted Instagram post, she explained the meaning behind “Skin.” According to Sabrina, the song was about sharing her perspective, not about dragging anyone else down. Her message seemed to underline that the media and fans were reading too much into the situation.
Despite her explanation, Skin still felt like a cryptic response to “Drivers License.” Sabrina’s lyrics about wishing to be friends hinted at unresolved tension, even if the song wasn’t meant to stir the pot further. Ultimately, both artists appeared eager to move past the drama.
Are Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo Friends?
So, are Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo friends? Based on their own words, the answer is no. Both have made it clear that they are not enemies. They simply don’t know each other well enough to have a relationship, friendly or otherwise. The supposed feud was more of a fan-created narrative than a real-life conflict.
Olivia and Sabrina seem to have mutual respect for each other as artists, but they have stayed in their own lanes since the height of the Drivers License frenzy. With time, the hype around their rumored love triangle has died down, leaving room for both stars to focus on their careers.
Fast forward to today, and both Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter have found success in their own right. Olivia has continued to dominate the charts with her music, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Similarly, Sabrina has also carved out her space in the entertainment industry, proving her talent as a singer and actress.