Key Takeaways
- • Singer Olivia Rodrigo, 23, faced online criticism after photos of her on summer dates with Julian Croonenberghs, a New York private equity associate at Hg Capital, circulated, with fans objecting that dating someone in finance conflicted with her politics.
- • Rodrigo says Croonenberghs was never her boyfriend and that she is single, describing the public speculation as "invasive" and a form of being "stalked and then judged for pictures."
- • Critics focused on Hg Capital's AI holdings, and Rodrigo said she would "never use AI in any of my music," calling it a "hard line."
- • The episode illustrates how a private investor's professional affiliations can become a reputational flashpoint when the investor is linked to a high-profile public figure.
Summary
Photos of pop singer Olivia Rodrigo on summer dates with Julian Croonenberghs, a young New York private equity associate at Hg Capital, sparked a wave of criticism from fans who felt that dating someone in finance clashed with her politics. According to the original report, the criticism intensified because Hg Capital holds investments in AI companies, which turned a personal relationship into what the article describes as a referendum on Rodrigo's values. The Hollywood Reporter also noted that Rodrigo appeared to receive backlash from some fans online over her apparent involvement with someone working in finance.
Rodrigo has pushed back on the speculation. The photos include one of the pair cuddling in a New York park in July, one of several times they were photographed together over the summer. Rodrigo said Croonenberghs was never her boyfriend and that she is single. "It's so hard and kind of sad, especially because relationships are supposed to be something private," she said. She described the attention as invasive, saying, "It feels like you're being stalked and then judged for pictures."
Rodrigo did not engage with Croonenberghs's professional background. Instead, she addressed the AI question directly, stating, "I would never use AI in any of my music. Absolutely no. Hard line on that." The article's coverage of her romantic history notes that her last public relationship was with actor Louis Partridge, which began in 2023 and was reportedly split in December 2025. She was photographed with Geese frontman Cameron Winter in April. Rodrigo closed by saying, "I'm such a lover girl. I'm very optimistic about love. I can't wait to get married, one day."
Rodrigo has pushed back on the speculation. The photos include one of the pair cuddling in a New York park in July, one of several times they were photographed together over the summer. Rodrigo said Croonenberghs was never her boyfriend and that she is single. "It's so hard and kind of sad, especially because relationships are supposed to be something private," she said. She described the attention as invasive, saying, "It feels like you're being stalked and then judged for pictures."
Rodrigo did not engage with Croonenberghs's professional background. Instead, she addressed the AI question directly, stating, "I would never use AI in any of my music. Absolutely no. Hard line on that." The article's coverage of her romantic history notes that her last public relationship was with actor Louis Partridge, which began in 2023 and was reportedly split in December 2025. She was photographed with Geese frontman Cameron Winter in April. Rodrigo closed by saying, "I'm such a lover girl. I'm very optimistic about love. I can't wait to get married, one day."
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