Witness to the rise: An Olivia Rodrigo’s fan story from the ground up

A long-time Livie Andra Siy, 24, is a testament that true fans recognize talent long before an artist rises to fame. Photos courtesy of Andra Siy. Graphics: Kazel Valdez/INQUIRER.net trainee

True fandom exists beyond the spotlight, especially for those who believed in Olivia Rodrigo long before her songs echoed through millions of headphones.

On TikTok and X, 24-year-old Andra Siy posted photos of her conversation with the artist before she sprung to fame, reminding us that being a fan isn’t about fame or popularity but recognizing talent when no one else does and sticking around to watch it grow.

“I became a fan of her acting after watching her debut film, where I was genuinely impressed by her performance. Despite it being her first role, she displayed such impressive skill and charisma that I was immediately drawn to support her,” Siy told the Inquirer.

hoy deserve ko ng tix magkumare kami ni Olivia 😔😔😔 #OliviaRodrigo @livenationph pic.twitter.com/rCHwjzkGz3

— andraヅ (@shobjin) September 14, 2024

Discovering a rising star

In 2015, Siy discovered Rodrigo when she watched her in the debut film “An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success.”

Siy was instantly captivated by her talent and charisma. She shared how Rodrigo’s natural presence on screen left a lasting impression, making her an early supporter of the now globally acclaimed artist.

“At just 12 years old, she was a natural [on-screen]. Her captivating presence made it clear that she had a remarkable talent for acting, [which made me drawn to her], and upon discovering that she is Filipina-American my support for her grew even stronger,” Siy said.

Unforgettable interactions

One of the most rewarding aspects of Siy’s journey as a fan was her direct conversation with Rodrigo.

When Siy first created her fan account, Rodrigo had less than a thousand followers on Instagram. But to Siy’s surprise, the artist followed her back immediately and would consistently reply to her messages.

From casual chats about her favorite hobbies to sharing lesser-known facts about the fan account Siy had made for her, these moments have strengthened her loyalty to the artist.

“My conversations with Olivia mainly involved asking her for facts, as my account was dedicated to sharing information about her. I also wanted to get to know her better and help other fans do the same, especially since there weren’t many articles about Olivia Rodrigo online at that time,” she shared.

Throughout the years

Siy stopped running the fan account in 2016 due to personal commitments. However, her love and admiration for the artist have never faded, and she continues supporting the artist even more now.

She noted that there were times when she was inactive throughout these years, but since the release of Rodrigo’s albums “SOUR” and “GUTS,” there hasn’t been a day when Siy hasn’t listened to the artist’s music.

As Rodrigo’s career took off with her hit debut song, “Driver’s License,” Siy felt proud of the artist.

“When I first heard her single ‘Drivers License,’ I instantly fell in love with it, just like everyone else who listened; the emotion in the song is truly powerful,” Siy marveled.

“When she released SOUR, I made sure to buy her CD,” she added.

Now, as Olivia Rodrigo graces red carpets and collects awards, Siy looks back at her early days as a fan with gratitude. She is incredibly proud and happy now that the artist is getting the recognition she deserves.

“As a Livie (Rodrigo’s fandom name) since 2015, it’s been amazing to see her at major events where she truly belongs. She’s worked tirelessly for every award, and it’s clear to everyone that she deserves it,” she said. — Nathalie Enriquez, INQUIRER trainee