Olivia Rodrigo: Joe Biden 'gave me a shoehorn'
Olivia Rodrigo came away from her White House visit with some presidential gifts — including one she found a bit strange.
The pop star visited the White House in July to help the Biden administration urge young people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, she explained that President Biden "gave me a few gifts" while she was there. One of them was the pair of sunglasses the Sour singer was photographed wearing with Biden in the Oval Office.
In addition to that, though, Rodrigo told Kimmel, "He gave me some M&M's, and he also gave me a shoehorn, which was strange." Rodrigo assured a surprised Kimmel she was being serious and still has the shoehorn, which was emblazoned with a presidential seal, at her house. When the late night host asked if she had to "pretend to be interested" in shoehorns as not to be rude to the president, she noted she didn't actually realize it was one of the gifts at first.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I didn't see it when he gave it to me," Rodrigo said. "It was like in a bag, and I opened it up, and I was like, 'Oh, that's so cool!'"
Rodrigo said it was an "honor" to visit the White House, even though she was "so nervous to go" and scared she was going to "sneeze and break" something. Kimmel, though, seemed a bit flabbergasted to learn that Biden is "giving out shoehorns" to people, quipping, "If you ever thought Joe Biden was too old to be president, now we know he is."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
4 ways to give back this holiday season
The Explainer If your budget is feeling squeezed, remember that money is not the only way you can be generous around the holidays
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
4 tips for hosting an ecofriendly Thanksgiving
The Week Recommends Coming together for the holidays typically produces a ton of waste, but with proper preparation, you can have an environmentally friendly gathering.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published