Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly challenged pop star Olivia Rodrigo after the singer publicly supported a Jane Doe plaintiff in a Cornell University sexual assault lawsuit.
The divide over the Cornell University gang rape lawsuit widened on Monday. October 5. when conservative commentator Megyn Kelly took aim at Olivia Rodrigo for her vocal support of the plaintiff. After the Grammy-winning musician published a statement condemning the institution for its handling of the case. Kelly used her YouTube platform to deliver a sharp rebuke. telling the 23-year-old singer to “shut up and stick to singing.”.
Earlier that day. Rodrigo had addressed the legal battle involving Jane Doe. who alleges she was given alcohol and drugs—including ketamine—before being gang-raped for hours by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024. In her statement, Rodrigo wrote: “Shame on Cornell and on every institution who protects rapists and abusers over women. I stand with Jane Doe. Her bravery reverberates across the country and the crimes against her will not go unpunished. What she lived through matters, and so does the failure of those who could have intervened but chose not to. She deserves answers, consequences, and lasting change.”.
Kelly’s response was immediate and aggressive. “I liked you better when you were in front of a microphone singing your weird little depressing songs,” Kelly said. “Shut up. You don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s better to keep your mouth shut and let people suspect you’re an idiot than to open it and prove them right.” She further characterized the musician as a “know-nothing” who had been “auto-tuned into fame. ” warning that she would begin investigating the messaging Rodrigo promotes to young women if the singer did not stop commenting on cultural issues.
The public feud reflects a broader, highly polarized reaction to the ongoing lawsuit. Jane Doe’s legal action. which includes evidence from a Snapchat group thread where defendants allegedly encouraged others to join the assault. has been met with vocal support from figures like Florence Pugh and Lzzy Hale. Conversely, others, including Kelly, have publicly backed the accused alumni, who maintain that the encounter was consensual or misrepresented.
Cornell University continues to face intense scrutiny regarding its internal investigations. While the school stood by its original disciplinary process in a September 28 statement—with vice president for university relations Kyle Kimball calling accusations of minimal consequences a “false narrative”—administration has since shifted. On October 3, university president Michael I. Kotlikoff announced that Cornell would participate in an independent investigation into how the report was handled. stating. “We as an administration and community must do better.”.
While Kelly questioned the depth of Rodrigo’s advocacy. the singer has built her public profile around direct action. including raising funds for domestic violence organizations and abortion access through her Fund 4 Good and the Daisy Chain Fields festival. In April 2025. while accepting an award from Planned Parenthood. Rodrigo noted her profound connection to her audience: “I often wonder. ‘What happens to those girls when they leave those venues?. What are their dreams?. What kind of world are they returning to?”.
As the legal proceedings progress, the discourse surrounding the case remains marked by high tension and competing narratives. Representatives for Rodrigo did not provide comment to outside inquiries regarding the exchange.
If you or anyone you know needs support, you can reach out to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). The organization provides free, confidential support to sexual assault victims at 800-656-HOPE, available 24/7.
Olivia Rodrigo Megyn Kelly Cornell University Jane Doe Chi Phi sexual assault lawsuit