Nearly three months after the “Stupid Song” singer stepped out with Julian Croonenberghs, a finance associate, she addressed the speculation of her relationship status and the backlash she received for the romance.
“It’s so hard and kind of sad, especially because relationships are supposed to be something private,” Rodrigo told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published Oct. 7. “Sometimes you’re out with a guy who’s not your boyfriend, and suddenly the internet’s like, ‘They’re married, blah, blah, blah.”
In addition to Croonenberghs, the 23-year-old also raised eyebrows with an outing alongside Geese singer Cameron Winter in April. Winter, for his part, told Rolling Stone last month that the duo simply got together to discuss “the Founding Fathers,” quipping, “It’s a rich topic.”
But many of Rodrigo’s fans considered her summer fling with Croonenberghs more serious, especially after they stepped out in July for a PDA-filled date at a public Brooklyn park after several low-key outings in June.
While the “Vampire” singer initially shrugged that the microscope she was under was “part of the” job, she backtracked, adding, “You know what? No.”
“It actually really sucks, and it feels invasive,” Rodrigo told THR. “It feels like you’re being stalked and then judged for pictures.”
Indeed, Rodrigo’s brief romance with Croonenberghs was the spark in the dark for plenty of discourse considering his profession—but “The Cure” singer assured it wasn’t even worth the breath.
“I’m single, I don’t have a boyfriend,” she said, “and to be stalked outside of your home and then these pictures are being used as evidence that you’re a bad person, it’s just the craziest thing.”
Alison Buck/ for The Recording Academy
And ultimately, Rodrigo isn’t let anyone but her decide what is and isn’t a bad idea—right?
“I know who I am, and I know what my values are,” she explained, “and I try to just hold on to it at the end of the day. I wish that I could be 23 years old and experience life normally.”
Plus, Rodrigo has previously assured that her current expectations on life don’t include romance at all.
“I’m in the most important phase, the friendship love,” Rodrigo told Cosmopolitan in April. “Best friend, community love. Dating is just the cherry on top.”
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