Olivia Rodrigo says she almost got arrested after being mistaken for woman with criminal records
Olivia Rodrigo was almost put behind bars after having her identity mistaken for someone with multiple criminal records.
Detailing the encounter during her guest appearance at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the singer-songwriter said that she was on her way to Portland from Canada when her concert bus was stopped by border control authorities.
"I give 'em my passport and they’re like, 'Okay, whatever.' And then they knock on the door and they’re like, 'We need Olivia.' And I’m like, I just played a few shows, maybe their daughter wants an autograph," she recalled.
But the scene that she imagined in her head was nothing like what transpired next.
"I come out, it’s 3:00 a.m. and I’m delirious, and they take me to a room and it’s an interrogation room. And there’s a big cop with a gun and he’s like, ‘Have you ever been arrested?'" Rodrigo shared.
"I’m like, ‘No, I haven’t been arrested.’ And he’s like, ‘Are you sure?’ I’m gaslighting myself? I’m like, 'Oh my god, maybe I was arrested and I didn’t know it,'" she continued.
The police officer then told Rodrigo, "You could go to jail for lying to a federal officer. This is really bad."
"I’m freaking out. I’m like, I’m not going to be let into America. I’m so scared. I’m having a panic attack," the music artist said.
But the issue was soon cleared up after she told them her surname. It turned out that she was only confused for another woman with a name that sounded similar to hers.
"After 30 minutes of interrogation, he looks at me and he goes, 'What’s your name?' I go, 'Olivia Rodrigo, R-O-D-R-I-G-O.' And he’s like, 'Oh, there’s a girl who looks just like you, that’s your same age that’s been arrested multiple times. And her name’s Olivia Rodriguez,'" she said.
She continued, "I was pissed. I’m like, 'You didn’t look at the name on the thing. You’ve been interrogating me for 30 minutes.' But whew. Crisis averted."
According to her, that incident was the first time that she nearly got in trouble with the law.
Rodrigo is in the middle of her ongoing Guts World Tour. She recently performed at the Philippine Arena for her special Silver Star Show, which was her "biggest venue ever."
"[Been] dreaming of this show for a [while]," she said. "Thank you to everyone Manila for welcoming me so generously and making me feel so loved."
Proceeds went to her chosen non-government organization, Jhpiego, via Fund 4 Good, a global initiative committed to building an equitable and just future for women and girls.
"I got to visit the organization while I was in Manila and was so impressed by the work they are doing providing healthcare to women and girls in the Philippines," Rodrigo said.
