Olivia Rodrigo ‘incredibly moved’ by Melinda French Gates’ $10M Daisy Chain Fields donation
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA: Olivia Rodrigo expressed her gratitude to Melinda French Gates after she donated $10 million to the Daisy Chain Fields festival, a not-for-profit music festival that had already raised $10 million to donate to 10 nonprofits.
The women-led lineup, founded by Rodrigo, was held at Great Park in Irvine, California, on August 29.
Melinda French Gates inspires Olivia Rodrigo
After the event, the songwriter took to her Instagram page to express her gratitude to French Gates.
Posting a photo of the two, she wrote, “Incredibly moved by all that Melinda French Gates does to support and uplift women and girls. She doubled every dollar from the daisy chain and is making it possible for us to give 20 million dollars to women’s charities.”
“The work that she does is so inspiring!” the ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ star added.
French Gates commented below the post, praising Rodrigo and noting, “I'm so inspired by all that you've built @oliviarodrigo and so honored that I got to be a small part of it!”
Olivia Rodrigo praises Melinda French Gates’ impact
Earlier, before starting her headlining set, the 23-year-old singer thanked French Gates, calling her “one of the most inspiring women I’ve ever met.”
“She’s devoted her life to empowering women and girls that would’ve otherwise been forgotten. She’s generous and brave and has done so much good in this world, and I am totally floored because as well as being in attendance here tonight, she’s pledged to double every dollar that we made here today,” the former child actress stated.
Rodrigo also invited the philanthropist, 62, onto the stage, where she said that the “real power is not up here onstage, it’s with everybody there,” before adding, “All of you. When women and girls come together to dream and to lead, we change the world.”
Melinda French Gates praises Olivia Rodrigo’s women’s advocacy
In another statement, the businesswoman called Rodrigo “a force” and noted, “What Daisy Chain Fields sets in motion will last far beyond a single night, by opening up opportunities for women and girls around the world and showing a new generation how much their voices matter. I’m so proud to support Olivia’s vision.”
The multi-Grammy-winning singer’s statement read, “I’m incredibly grateful to Melinda and Pivotal for believing in this mission and making the impact of our first festival twice as powerful."
She added, "Most of all, I’m so excited about what this means for the incredible organizations we’re supporting and the women, girls, and communities they show up for every single day.”
