Olivia Rodrigo has been steadily widening her musical universe with each era, threading classic alt-rock influences into her Gen-Z heartbreak anthems. Her admiration for The Cure’s Robert Smith has been clear for years, from lyrical nods to shared festival performances. Still, until now, it has all lived in covers, references, and guest appearances. Finally, that long-standing connection finally became more than a tribute.

During a surprise nighttime set at the Primavera Sound festival at Barcelona, Olivia Rodrigo used the midpoint of her show to premiere a brand-new track, ‘What’s Wrong With Me’, and revealed that it is her first-ever album feature, with Robert Smith himself on the song. Positioned in the 'you seem pretty sad' half of her upcoming album ‘You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love’, the duet unfolds as a shared emotional spiral.

Rodrigo opens alone, admitting she does not feel like herself and that even small moments feel overwhelming. When Smith enters on the second verse, he reflects that same unease, adding a second perspective to the song’s tension. His lines suggest that the relationship at the center of the track might not be what either of them truly wants.

As the song builds, their vocals merge across the chorus and bridge, creating a dense emotional atmosphere carried by shimmering, Cure-influenced guitars. The performance marked a major milestone, not only as the live debut of a vulnerable new track but also as Rodrigo’s first official shared credit on one of her albums.

That willingness to collaborate also reflects a broader shift in how Rodrigo is approaching her peers.

Olivia Rodrigo signals openness to unexpected collaborations

Olivia Rodrigo is leaning into a new era of openness, and that extends to the person the internet once framed as her rival. In a recent Dazed cover story, she was asked directly whether she would ever collaborate with Sabrina Carpenter. The question pointed back to the period when ‘Drivers License’ fueled intense speculation about a feud.

"I’m so happy for all of her success too. I love the album she’s put out … people just get weird and clickbaity. It’s all love, though. I’ve talked to her many times," she told British Vogue in March 2026.

Rather than avoiding it, Rodrigo responded with humor and clarity, saying she is open to all types of collaboration. Taken together, her comments suggest that the so-called feud belongs more to online discourse than to either artist. Rodrigo has emphasized that it is “all love” and that they have spoken many times, reframing the narrative entirely. A collaboration may not be confirmed, but for the first time, the idea feels genuinely within reach.

What do you think about Olivia Rodrigo’s new song with Robert Smith and her openness to future collaborations? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Pratham Gurung

Edited by

Adiba Nizami