Singer Olivia Rodrigo named Billboard’s 2022 ‘Woman of the Year’

Singer Olivia Rodrigo was named Billboard’s 2022 “Woman of the Year,” the website announced Friday.

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The “Drivers License” singer will be honored on March 2 during the Billboard Women in Music Awards at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California.

“Olivia’s trajectory to superstardom is the stuff of pop music legend,” Hannah Karp, Billboard’s editorial director, said in a statement. “Her talents as a storyteller and songwriter have made Olivia one of the most authentic and exciting new artists to explode onto the scene in years. Connecting with audiences across generations through emotionally charged songs about heartbreak, jealousy and growing up, she’s achieved absolutely incredible chart success for a debut artist. We are thrilled to celebrate her unique voice and the enormous impact she’s had on fans around the globe in such a short time.”

Previous winners include Cardi B, Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande, according to The Associated Press.

Rodrigo, 18, who was also named Time magazine’s 2021 Entertainer of the Year in December, released her first single, “Drivers License” on Jan. 8, 2021, according to the magazine.

Two weeks later she became the youngest solo artist ever to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the magazine reported. “Drivers License” stayed on top of the charts for eight weeks, according to Billboard.

Rodrigo’s album, “Sour,” which was released on May 21, 2021, broke streaming records and all 11 tracks landed in the top 30 of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, according to the AP. That made her the first female artist to achieve the feat.

“Sour” was named the No. 1 album of 2021 by Rolling Stone and called one of the Best Albums of 2021 by The New York Times, according to Billboard.

Rodrigo earned seven Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist, and Song, Record and Album of the Year, according to Time.

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