Olivia Rodrigo slams abortion law that kept brain-dead nurse alive for months

Olivia Rodrigo | Image: Instagram/@oliviarodrigo

Filipino-American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo spoke out about the case of Adriana Smith, a 31-year-old nurse from Atlanta who was declared brain-dead in February 2025 while nine weeks pregnant. Smith was kept on life support for months because of Georgia’s strict abortion law.

The law, which recognizes fetuses with detectable heartbeats as legal persons, sternly restricts abortion access in the state. As a result, even a brain-dead woman like Smith was kept biologically alive because of the fetus she was carrying.

Rodrigo, known not just for her critically acclaimed songs but also for her outspoken views on women’s rights, posted on her Instagram story: “So disgusting and disturbing. Adriana Smith deserved better.”

Her comment quickly went viral, with fans and other women’s rights advocates also expressing their opinions about the matter.

While many agreed with Rodrigo’s statement, the internet remained divided. Some commenters said they saw nothing wrong with what happened to Smith, arguing that “any mother would be willing to make sacrifices for her child.” Others opined that the singer lacked the understanding of the weight of motherhood.

Still, many pushed back, saying that no one had the right to make such a deeply personal decision on behalf of Smith, especially in her condition.

The case continues to spark debate across social media, thanks in part to Rodrigo’s post. — Elysa Cruz, trainee / ra/jpv/edv