Did Olivia Rodrigo Team Up With Robert Smith To Shade Her EX? Here’s What We Actually Know

Fan theories surrounding Olivia Rodrigo have been running wild ever since news of her upcoming album and collaboration with The Cure frontman Robert Smith surfaced. Social media has been busy connecting dots that may or may not belong together, with many speculating that the pair's new song is a subtle dig at Olivia's ex-boyfriend, British actor Louis Partridge.

But is there any truth to the rumours? Probably not. In fact, the real story behind the collaboration is far more interesting.

How Olivia Rodrigo and Robert Smith Ended Up Collaborating

Olivia Rodrigo's admiration for Robert Smith is nothing new. Their musical connection first caught the public's attention at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival, where Rodrigo, who was headlining the iconic Pyramid Stage, invited Smith onstage for a surprise performance.

Together, they performed two of The Cure's biggest hits, Friday I'm in Love and Just Like Heaven. Introducing him to the audience, Rodrigo called Smith "probably the best English songwriter of all time" and later described the moment as "one of the coolest experiences of my life."

That mutual admiration eventually evolved into a creative partnership. Their new collaborative track, What's Wrong With Me, recently made its live debut at Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, where The Cure were headlining and Rodrigo joined as a surprise guest. The song is expected to feature on her upcoming album, You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love.

Olivia Rodrigo and Louis Partridge: What Went Wrong?

Olivia Rodrigo and British actor Louis Partridge, best known for his role in Netflix's Enola Holmes franchise, were first linked romantically in 2023 after they were spotted leaving a Halloween party together. Over the next two years, the pair became one of the entertainment industry's most talked-about young couples.

Partridge was frequently seen supporting Rodrigo at major events, including several of her concerts and her appearance at the 2025 Grammy Awards. The couple also attended the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Los Angeles together.

However, just weeks later, reports of their split began to emerge. According to media reports, Rodrigo privately spoke about the breakup during an event hosted by Lily Allen in London, with one source saying, "It was such a cute relationship that everyone couldn't believe why they separated."

Neither Rodrigo nor Partridge has publicly commented on the breakup rumours. In April 2026, Olivia was also spotted having dinner with Cameron Winter, the lead singer of the band Geese, sparking fresh speculation about her personal life.

She Reworked the Song After the Breakup

According to a recent BBC interview, Rodrigo revealed that she revisited and altered parts of What's Wrong With Me after her relationship with Partridge ended. She explained that the breakup gave the lyrics a different emotional meaning and prompted her to make changes during the creative process.

The singer suggested that the song evolved alongside her personal experiences, making it a more honest reflection of what she was feeling at the time.
Is the Collaboration a Dig at Louis Partridge?

The short answer is no.

Rodrigo has openly admired Robert Smith and The Cure long before she began dating Louis Partridge. Her appreciation for Smith's music has been well documented, particularly during the Glastonbury performance, which actually took place while she and Partridge were still together.

In fact, Partridge himself appeared supportive of the collaboration at the time, reportedly sharing photos from the performance on social media and describing it as "truly special."
Similarly, rumours of a reunion or hidden messages aimed at her ex appear to be based largely on fan speculation and social media theories rather than any concrete evidence.

At its core, the story is less about post-breakup drama and more about one of pop music's biggest young stars collaborating with one of rock's most influential songwriters.

Combined with Rodrigo's decision to rewrite parts of the track after a personal heartbreak, the project is shaping up to be one of the most emotionally layered moments on her upcoming album.