Olivia Rodrigo will be voted Billboard's "Woman of the Year" in 2022 after an incredible year in 2021. The distinction for the "Drivers License" singer was announced on Friday (Feb. 4), along with information on general public tickets for the live Billboard Women in Music Awards on March 2 at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif.
"Olivia's rise to superstardom is the stuff of pop music folklore," Billboard's Editorial Director Hannah Karp said in a statement. "Olivia's abilities as a storyteller and songwriter have made her one of the most genuine and fascinating new performers to emerge in years."
Using emotionally charged songs about heartbreak, envy, and growing up to connect with audiences of all generations For a debut artist, she has achieved tremendous chart success. We're ecstatic to honor her distinct voice and the immense influence she's had on fans all over the world in such a short period of time."
Rodrigo, a critically renowned singer-songwriter, broke through in 2021 with the raw self-expression on her first full-length album, SOUR, with her record-breaking, quadruple-platinum breakthrough single "Drivers License."
Rolling Stone named the album the No. 1 album of 2021, and The New York Times named it one of the Best Albums of 2021, propelling it to the top of several Billboard year-end lists, including top Global 200 Artist, top Overall New Artist, top Hot 100 Artist, top Hot 100 Female Artist, and top Hot 100 Songwriter, among others.
For a debut artist, she's had a phenomenal amount of chart success. We're pleased to honor her singular voice and massive influence.
With over 385 million global plays during its release week, SOUR set a new record for the most audio streams from a female debut album in the United States and broke the record for the most-streamed album by a female artist in a week in Spotify history. Rodrigo is the first female artist — and the fourth act overall — to chart 11 or more songs in the top 30 of Billboard's Hot 100 continuously.
In the spring of 2022, Rodrigo will embark on her sold-out SOUR Tour, which will take her to over 40 major cities across North America and Europe.
