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In a career known for its relentless pace and emotional toll, Olivia Rodrigo is setting a new standard for artist-led care. During her 102-show Guts World Tour, the 22-year-old pop star quietly implemented an initiative that's turning heads across the music world: free, professional therapy for her entire touring team.
Guitarist Daisy Spencer first revealed the effort during a June appearance on The StageLeft Podcast. "It was accessible and free. Honestly, that was one of the coolest things that has ever happened on tour," Spencer said, reflecting on the resource made possible by Rodrigo and veteran tour manager Marty Hom. The sessions weren't just available during tour stops, they extended into off-days and continued even after the tour wrapped.
The timing couldn't be more relevant. According to the mental health charity Mind, those working in the music industry are three times more likely to face depression than the general public. Long hours, constant travel, and job insecurity have created what many call a "pressure cooker" environment. In response, the Music Industry Therapy Collective recently launched a 24/7 support platform for music professionals, underscoring how urgent and widespread the issue has become.
Spencer's remarks hint at how rare Rodrigo's move is. "I've never had anything like that. I started going weekly. It reignited the importance of therapy for me after falling off for so long," she said. The sessions, described as "incredible," helped her reconnect with her inner voice and unprocessed childhood memories.
For Rodrigo, this isn't performative allyship. Mental health has long been a personal focus. Her father, Chris Rodrigo, is a licensed therapist, and she's openly credited therapy as a tool that grounds her amid global fame. "It's a gift," Spencer emphasized, "to have someone help you pull things out you might not access alone."
This initiative arrives at a high point in Rodrigo's career. From dueting with Robert Smith at Glastonbury to headlining major festivals across five continents, Guts has been both a commercial and critical triumph. But behind the spotlight, Rodrigo's backstage commitment reveals a leader invested in more than the next show. "She's the dreamiest boss of all time," Spencer added. In an industry slowly awakening to the cost of burnout, Rodrigo's gesture speaks louder than headlines.
