Contraceptives given out at Olivia Rodrigo concert in Missouri. Fans cheer ‘bold’ move

Olivia Rodrigo fans are cheering on the pop icon’s “bold” behavior at her GUTS World Tour stops — and not just the performance itself.

The artist has been vocal about donating a portion of proceeds from the nearly sold out tour’s ticket sales to local reproductive care and abortion funds in each state, and now fans have started noticing even more action at the shows.

Posts emerged on social media Wednesday, March 13, showing contraception packets that were handed out at the show in St. Louis, Missouri, the night before.

“Free Plan B given out at Guts Tour. Thought this was very cool of her and her fund,” someone said on the Olivia Rodrigo subreddit page. “The fact that she is so young and already wants to be this vocal and forward in something she believes in is just so admirable and refreshing.”

Other fans agreed.

“I love that she was bold enough to do this like this is sending me,” someone said in another post on Reddit. “Go Olivia!!”

Some pointed out how surprising the move was given the young age of many Rodrigo fans.

“This is so wild considering her demographic and I love it,” someone said.

“Such a slay! But I’m definitely surprised considering her demographic,” another said.

But not everyone supported the move.

“Olivia Rodrigo handing out Plan B and promoting abortion to her young fans is beyond twisted,” one person said on X. “This isn’t empowerment.”

Another person questioned the impact of the giveaway and asked whether Rodrigo would “accept responsibility for any ill effects” if anything were to go wrong if and when someone were to use the emergency contraception.

“The potential for medical complications is real,” they said on X.

Others said they noticed goodie bags at other tour stops, namely in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“She’s probably prioritizing states with super restrictive abortion laws,” someone said. “Missouri is a state with some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country.”

Some questioned what they might be able to expect at their own show.

“From what I’ve seen online and at her show I’m pretty sure the local group she partners with drives the ship with what they have at their table,” someone said. “(New Orleans) had almost nothing, but the night before that in Dallas they were giving out Olivia’s merch.”

Missouri’s abortion ban

Moments after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, a 2019 trigger law took effect in Missouri that banned nearly all abortions in the state, The Kansas City Star previously reported. It marked the end of a decades-long campaign by abortion opponents to eliminate legal abortions in the state.

Then in February 2024, Missouri Republicans voted against exceptions to the law for rape and incest, the outlet reported.

Missouri voters are split on the issue, but past polling shows a majority of them are in favor of some form of abortion access, the outlet reported.

Olivia Rodrigo’s Fund 4 Good

The Missouri Abortion Fund confirmed representatives were at the St. Louis stop in a March 12 post on X, formerly known as Twitter — and included a line from one of Rodrigo’s most popular songs from her previous album, “Sour.”

“It’s brutal out here in Missouri, but we are here for abortion access and (to) hand out Plan B with @TextRightByYou,” another organization the singer is working with to raise funds for reproductive healthcare.

Rodrigo confirmed she’s working with both nonprofits through her tour’s Fund 4 Good in her Instagram story.

“A portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales from #GUTSworldtourStLouis will go toward (Abortion Funds) including: (Right By You), which helps Missourians access abortion, birth control & birth care, teen parenting without stigma, and adoption without coercion,” the post says. “(Missouri Abortion Fund), which provides financial assistance for Missouri residents who cannot afford the full cost of abortion care.”

Some wondered why and asked if anyone could explain.

“Birth control is becoming harder for some people to get in certain states,” someone said. “She is probably doing this as a statement to show where she stands and what she supports.”

Rodrigo first became popular with her hit song “drivers license.” The pop star then went on to release her first album, “Sour” in May 2021, and released her second album, “GUTS,” in September 2023. The singer is known for other chart-topping songs, including “deja vu” and “vampire.”

The GUTS world tour began Feb. 24 and will run until Aug. 17.

Will Missourians back abortion rights amendment? New poll shows voters’ uncertainty

Would a Taylor Swift endorsement help Biden’s re-election chances? Experts weigh in

Is abortion access a winning issue for Biden in 2024? Democratic strategists weigh in