Update: The Bluebird Cafe’s general manager, Erika Wollam Nichols, released a statement after the video went viral to clear up the drama. “Olivia’s people did not ask us to remove an image of Taylor Swift — nobody did,” Nichols said. “We removed an image of Taylor Swift that was in a position where the filming was taking place. When we have filmings, we are required legally to remove images that are under copyright.”
Original: A new video has kicked off major fan drama involving Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe.
In the now-viral clip, an employee at the Bluebird claims Olivia Rodrigo’s team requested all signs of Taylor Swift be taken down before Olivia’s private performance at the venue in 2023.
Viral Video Triggers Olivia and Taylor Feud
The clip has sparked heated reactions online, with fans divided on whether it’s a petty move, a fake story, or a sign of deeper tension between the two stars. In the video, the Bluebird Cafe employee says:
“In 2023, right before GUTS, she [Olivia Rodrigo] came in and played Making the Bed, Vampire, Lacy…” The interviewer follows up and questions, “And what happened before she started playing? What did you guys do, what was the amendment that you made?”
He casually replies:
“We vowed to remove any visible signs of Taylor Swift.”
The way he delivers it is casual, more like a behind-the-scenes tidbit than a scandalous reveal. But that didn’t stop Swifties and Livies from jumping in.
Why The Bluebird Cafe is Significant
To fans, this isn’t just about a few “signs,” aka probably posters and friendship bracelets. The Bluebird Cafe is where Taylor Swift got her start, performing for small crowds before being discovered by Big Machine Records at just 14 years old. It’s a symbol of her humble beginnings and is deeply tied to her musical legacy. Basically, The Bluebird Cafe is a holy ground for Swifties.
So for some fans, the idea of scrubbing Taylor from the space felt like erasing history.
Swifties didn’t hold back, calling the Vampire singer “threatened and insecure.” One person wrote, “Absolutely pathetic. Grow up @oliviarodrigo.” While another said, “Meanwhile fadlivia wouldn’t even know about the bluebird cafe if it wasn’t for Taylor.”
Others, however, defended Olivia, noting that the employee never directly said Olivia herself made the request:
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The Olivia–Taylor Tension: Feud or Fan Fiction?
Olivia Rodrigo has long credited Taylor as a major influence, even citing her as a songwriting idol. After calling herself the “biggest Swiftie in the whole world” back in 2021, things got awkward when songwriting credits were retroactively added to Olivia’s song deja vu due to similarities to Taylor’s Cruel Summer.
Taylor walked away with 50 percent of the deja vu writing credits and ever since, fans have speculated there’s distance, or even quiet tension between the two.
“I think it’s disappointing to see people take things out of context and discredit any young woman’s work,” Olivia told Teen Vogue at the time. Her lyrics to Vampire were also rumored to be about Taylor. But then Tay was seen dancing to Vampire during Olivia’s performance at the 2024 Grammys, seemingly showing that there really is no bad blood between them.
So, neither artist has addressed this new Bluebird Cafe video, but it’s definitely added fuel to the feud rumors. What do you think? Sound off in the comments!
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