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Tensions are "High School Musical"

By Tessa Cherian and Priya Persaud


Since the hit song "Driver's License" came out in 2021, singer Olivia Rodrigo has become a household name, amassing millions of fans all over the world. The sentimental lyrics not only hit home for people of all ages, but also sparked some rumors about Rodrigo’s personal life, or more specifically, her love life.


Dating rumors revolved around Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett as they co-starred in the “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” on Disney+ together. Thus, many fans claimed that her famous song shaded her rumored ex-boyfriend, Bassett, along with his then girlfriend, Sabrina Carpenter.


The lyrics of “Driver’s License” include phrases like “blonde girl” and “she’s so much older than me,” which had fans point to how much it matches with Sabrina Carpenter's characteristics. A week later, things got even more dramatic when Bassett released a new single called “Lie Lie Lie.” This song was thought to be in response to Rodrigo’s actions.


Though Bassett eventually denied the connection of his song to Rodrigo, fans couldn’t help but point to Sabrina Carpenter’s new single “Skin,” where she included the phrase, “maybe ‘blonde’ was the only rhyme.” Fans alleged that Carpenter was referring to being called a “blonde girl” in Rodrigo’s hit track. This, therefore, created a new frenzy of rumors of a potential love triangle among Rodrigo, Bassett and Carpenter.


In an effort to halt any further speculation, Carpenter quickly refuted rumors that she “wrote a diss track” about Rodrigo in a January 2021 Instagram post. The star went on to commend “Driver’s License” as being a “magnificent song.” Eventually, Rodrigo explained in a March 2021 interview about how her sensational song couldn’t be about Sabrina because they barely even knew each other.


In a June 2021 interview, Bassett clarified that “the reality [of the drama] is it’s kind of like a lost cause trying to talk about any of that stuff.” He stated that he refuses to further fuel any dating rumors. Bassett even went as far to say, “Why don’t we focus on these women for who they are? Let’s focus on the art that they’re making and how great they are instead of their relationship to a boy.” Regardless, devoted fans are still hooked on a possible connection between Rodrigo and Bassett.


Due to fans trying to decipher the seeming love triangle among Rodrigo, Carpenter and Bassett, Bassett has received a lot of negative feedback from the public.


Source by Kristen Schneider

Fans create rumors about the stars' drama.


“After reviewing both sides, I’m definitely on Joshua’s side because he received so much hate for something he couldn’t control, and Olivia really didn’t try to stop that,” junior Irene Paul said.


Moreover, the drama only intensified after Rodrigo publicly confirmed that she would return for season three of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” on Disney+. After being asked whether or not he was nervous about returning to the show with Rodrigo, Bassett said, “I am not. I’m very excited. I think we have a really, really awesome season lined up, and I think it’s going to be truly a blast.”


However, in January 2022, eagle-eyed fans noticed that Bassett unfollowed Rodrigo on Instagram ahead of filming season three of the Disney show.


“Personally, I became a fan of Olivia Rodrigo after listening to 'Driver’s License.' Her songs convey intense emotions that almost every teen can relate to. Also, I don’t think that this drama really matters. In the end, she’ll always be a successful musical artist,” junior Madison Thompson said.


Overall, the plot continues to thicken in this romantic saga among Bassett, Rodrigo and Carpenter, and fans await their future endeavors.

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