If you’ve been on TikTok this week, then chances are you’re already obsessed with Disney star Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single, drivers license.
The croony ballad has captivated TikTok fans and industry big-wigs alike, earning praise from Taylor Swift and even Rolling Stone, who called it a strong contender for song of the year.
Throughout the wistful song, Olivia sings about a painful breakup that ruined getting her license to drive. “I got my driver’s license last week / Just like we always talked about / ‘Cause you were so excited for me / To finally drive up to your house / But today I drove through the suburbs / Crying ’cause you weren’t around,” she sings before revealing that her ex is “probably with that blonde girl who always made me doubt / She’s so much older than me / She’s everything I’m insecure about”.
With a few pointed hints, fans are convinced the 17-year-old wrote the song about a love triangle with her High School Musical spinoff co-star Joshua Bassett and singer Sabrina Carpenter.
Here’s what we know.
Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett
Olivia and Joshua met on the set of the Disney+ reboot High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, where the two played on-screen love interests Nini and Ricky.
Their chemistry had fans speculating that the two were dating in real life, and though they kept their rumoured romance private, Olivia mentioned a “failed relationship” on TikTok in August 2020, leading fans to believe they had split.
Olivia’s caption tracks with Joshua’s narrative as well. Back in April 2020, the star released his song, Common Sense, about wanting a second chance with a love interest he hurt. He hints at being unfaithful with another girl who’s “not worth my time”.
However, Olivia’s drivers license lyrics imply the 20-year-old went back on his word as she sings, “Guess you didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me.”
Joshua Bassett and Sabrina Carpenter
After Common Sense, Joshua proceeded to release several songs about being in love, most notably Anyone Else. In an interview, the artist said he wrote the song after realising “that I was hopelessly falling in love with a close friend”.
So why Sabrina Carpenter?
Well, Joshua and 21-year-old Sabrina were rumoured to be dating after they were caught kissing at a Black Lives Matter protest in July 2020. Despite never officially confirming their relationship, the two have been photographed on dates and frequently appear in each other’s TikToks.
Sabrina is also four years older than Olivia and is obviously blonde, which fits with the lyrics of drivers license. Fans on Twitter claim the original lyrics said “brunette girl” and the singer-actress changed the lyrics to “blonde girl” last minute.
Hours after Olivia released drivers license, Joshua announced the release of his upcoming single Lie, Lie, Lie, which left fans reeling that the 20-year-old was trying to steal Olivia’s thunder.
Read more about developments in this love triangle here.