Olivia Rodrigo just keeps proving she’s as thoughtful offstage as she is talented on it.
In an industry where long hours and little job security are the norm, Olivia Rodrigo did something that really stood out: she paid for her entire touring crew to get therapy. Not just during the chaos of her world tour, but even when they were off the road.
Guitarist Daisy Spencer shared the news on The StageLeft Podcast on June 30, calling it one of the most meaningful things she’d ever experienced on the road.
She stated:
“Honestly, that was one of the coolest things that has ever happened on tour. Like, seriously, one of the best things you can give to people is accessible free therapy, because it can get kind of expensive."
Touring Is Physically And Mentally Demanding Work
Rodrigo’s Guts tour, which ran from February 2024 to July 2025, included a total of 102 shows and took her and her team across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Brazil.
It was met with glowing reviews, with critics praising her stage presence and vocals.
But life on tour – especially for those next to "the big star" and behind the scenes – is more exhausting than glamorous. Crew members work long hours, are constantly on the move, and often go weeks or months without a stable home.
Many touring professionals deal with stress and burnout while on the move. And they often do so without access to proper mental health care.
Daisy stated how important the experience was to her personally:
“That reignited the importance of therapy to me, I had kind of fallen off for a while, and then suddenly I had this free resource of incredible therapists. I utilised the c- out of that.”
A Small Change With a Big Impact
Rodrigo’s decision to cover therapy, and to keep it going during downtime, is highly unusual. Only a handful of major artists have gone public with similar efforts. One notable example is Taylor Swift, who revealed more than a decade ago that she provides health insurance to her touring band and crew (and has continued to do so ever since).
But aside from this positive example, progress in the industry has been slow since then.
Why Don’t More Artists Do This?
It’s a fair question. A lot of it comes down to how the live music industry works.
The majority of live event workers, including musicians, sound engineers, lighting techs, and tour managers, are freelancers or independent contractors. They’re hired on a per-tour basis.
Once the tour ends, so does the work – and so do any benefits they may have had during it.
And unlike the artists in the spotlight, most crew members end up not having the luxury of health insurance or regular support because of these circumstances.
Why Olivia Might Prioritize Mental Health
Rodrigo’s decision to offer therapy to her crew isn’t just generous – it feels personal.
Her father, Chris Rodrigo, is a licensed family therapist, which means Olivia grew up in a household where mental health was openly discussed and valued. That kind of upbringing likely shaped how she sees emotional well-being.
Her music, too, often explores themes of emotional vulnerability and anxiety. Offering therapy to her crew seems like a natural extension of the values in her work.
Still, making sure they’re supported – even temporarily – signals a level of leadership that’s rare for any artist, let alone one just a few years into her career.
For an industry that still lacks basic protections for many of its workers, Rodrigo’s gesture matters. It shows what’s possible when artists use their influence to take care of the people around them.
The question now is whether others will follow her lead? Or will this level of care continue to be the exception rather than the rule?
What do you think about where the industry is headed? Tell us in the comments!