Olivia Rodrigo’s Bold Stand: The Untold Story Behind the Iconic ‘Fame F–ker’ Lyric in ‘Vampire’

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We’re all belting Olivia Rodrigo‘s “Vampire” now, but the singer revealed her new song almost had a very different lyric.

“It sparked a debate about whether or not to include the phrase 'fame f–ker' in the song," Rodrigo, 20, shared with Audacy Check In on Thursday, July 13. Certain individuals argued that using such language would isolate listeners and make it difficult to relate to the song. I understand their perspective and where they were coming from."

In the chorus of her recent release, which came out last month, the former High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star sings, "But you made me appear so gullible / The way you exploited me / As you took advantage of me, oh / Bloodsucker, fame f–ker / Draining me of everything, like a damn vampire."

Though she had a successful career as a child actor, Rodrigo's fame has skyrocketed since her debut single, "Driver's License," was unleashed in January 2021. Tackling the relatable theme of driving past an ex's house, Rodrigo's song resonates with a much larger audience, surpassing the realm of dating a fame-seeker. Rodrigo assumes that her listeners possess the intellect to comprehend that the song delves into deeper emotions beyond a mere line.

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She expressed her belief that the song's meaning revolves around someone who is manipulative and emotionally draining, exploiting others for their own benefit, rather than being solely about seeking fame. According to her, this theme resonates universally, especially considering that attaining fame has become more accessible to a wider audience, not just limited to those in Los Angeles and Hollywood.

In the explicit version, the phrase "fame f–ker" is used, while the radio-friendly edit substitutes it with "dream crusher." In a TikTok video shared earlier this month, Rodrigo playfully suggested alternative replacements that didn't make it into the final version, such as "tree hugger," "whale blubber," "Mark Zucker," and "garlic butter."

The Grammy Award winner's debut single from her second album, titled "Guts," is called "Vampire." She mentioned that the song sets the tone for the rest of the LP.

"I believe it's a strong introduction to the album," she shared during an interview with Audacy Check In. "While it remains true to the style of Sour, it also explores new themes, attitudes, and sounds, offering a glimpse of what's to come."

The title Guts was already decided before she even wrote the album. She mentioned that she had chosen the title while creating Sour. She wanted the next album to be called Guts and had a clear vision for it. She liked the idea of a short, four-letter title in all caps, similar to Sour. She finds the word interesting because it has various connotations, such as "spill your guts" or "hate your guts," which she finds intriguing. According to her, it represents bravery and intuition, like trusting your instincts. These concepts align with the themes she has been exploring in this chapter of her life. The album Guts will be released on September 8th.