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Olivia Rodrigo is praising Gwen Stefani for being a "true artist" and helping pave the way for other artists who defy stereotypes and make the music they want.
The 21-year-old phenom shared her love for the "Hollaback Girl" singer in her new cover story for Nylon, out Tuesday (April 9). Stefani has no doubt had an influence on Rodrigo's own music, leaning in to pop-punk sounds in both her SOUR and GUTS albums, and she even has the No Doubt song "Just a Girl" on her pre-show playlist, per Billboard.
"Gwen's ability to evolve and explore different styles of music, songwriting, and aesthetic while still remaining true to herself is incredibly inspiring," she said. "To me, she's a prime example of an artist who defies stereotypes and preconceived boundaries and just makes stuff that she thinks is cool. If that's not a true artist, I don't know what is."
Rodrigo also recalled the first time she listened to Stefani's band No Doubt, when she was 15 years old, a time when many teens feel alone in their experiences. Stefani's lyrics, however, opened her eyes to how music could be.
"Gwen sang about being a woman moving about this world in detail that I had never before heard put to music," she said. "She unapologetically sings about things ranging from wanting to make out with someone to fantasizing about having a husband and kids. There's so much heart in every word she says, and every song feels like it's ripped from the diary of the coolest girl you know."
Stefani and No Doubt are set to reunite at Coachella this year, which kicks off Friday, April 12. In January, she opened up about how that unexpected plan came to be and expressed how "we're all just so excited."