Inside Olivia Rodrigo’s Route 66-Inspired Afterparty for ‘Driving Home 2 U’ Premiere
25.03.2022 - 22:45
/ variety.com
Ellise Shafer In Olivia Rodrigo’s Disney Plus film “Driving Home 2 U,” the pop star takes a road trip from Salt Lake City, Utah to Malibu, Calif., stopping at old-timey diners, abandoned-looking gas stations and desert prairies along the way. At the premiere for the film on Thursday night in Westwood, Rodrigo’s star-studded friends, members of the press and fans got to mimic that journey.While picking up tickets at will call, each guest was handed a “Drivers License” of their own in the spirit of Rodrigo’s hit song, and directed toward the Regency Village Theater by enthusiastic event employees dressed in pastel jumpsuits adorned with “Sour” patches.
The celeb sightings began just outside of the theater, where Busy Philipps and her child Birdie mingled with “Glee’s” Kevin McHale. Once inside, the Kid Laroi and girlfriend Katarina Deme lounged in the lobby while guests grabbed complimentary popcorn and sodas.
Before the screening began, president of Disney Branded Television Ayo Davis welcomed the crowd with a short speech. “Here at Disney Branded Television, our mission is to tell stories filled with adventure, magic and heart.
And tonight, you’re gonna get that,” Davis said. “This film put Olivia in the driver’s seat, where she shares her inspiring story filled with reflection, joy and hope.
I know that you’re going to enjoy it in the same way that I do, and it’s going to resonate around the world globally.”As Variety‘s Owen Gleiberman wrote in his review of the film, “Olivia Rodrigo is, among other things, every inch a traditional rock star — and I mean that as an extreme compliment. In ‘Driving Home 2 U,’ just look at how she singes the screen in ‘Jealousy, Jealousy,’ grabbing the mic and singing with scalding
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