Olivia Dean’s Journey to Staying Grounded Amidst Success
Olivia Dean, a 27-year-old singer, has shared her insights on how she manages to stay grounded despite the immense success she has achieved in her career. Her recent accomplishments include winning four BRIT Awards and securing her first Grammy in February. Additionally, her second album, The Art Of Loving, has made history as the longest-running No 1 album by a British female this decade, surpassing Adele’s 30.
Despite these achievements, Olivia remains focused on maintaining a balanced life. She credits her close-knit group of female friends for helping her stay mentally strong during the ‘preposterousness’ of the music industry. She emphasized that it is easy to get lost and confused within such a high-profile environment.
“I come home from doing something like the Grammys, and the debrief we’ll have is crazy,” she said. “My life can feel quite extreme sometimes because I’m in these moments of high glamour and kind of preposterousness.”
She acknowledged that while her life may seem glamorous, it is crucial to remember that her life is not more important than anyone else’s. “My friends care, but not more than I care about what they’re doing. My life isn’t more important than anyone else’s life. It’s just mine.”
The Role of Friends and Education in Shaping Olivia
Olivia’s journey to self-acceptance began at the BRIT School, where she met some of her closest friends. She recalled how her mother encouraged her to apply to the institution, which is known for producing renowned artists like Adele and Amy Winehouse.
At the BRIT School, Olivia found a sense of belonging that she had previously lacked. “It allowed me to free myself from feeling embarrassed about who I was,” she explained. “It was so validating to be surrounded by people who thought music was cool, and wanting to shine was cool.”
She also shared how her previous school experience was challenging, with peers making her feel embarrassed and like she was “too much.” However, the BRIT School changed everything, introducing her to lifelong friends, including her current roommate.
Emotional Maturity and Authenticity
Olivia’s emotional maturity and authenticity are evident in her music, particularly in her album The Art of Loving. This project reflects her growth and understanding of relationships and love. She described her hit song “Man I Need” as a “call to action” for men to step up and be the best they can be for women.
“I’ve been in therapy for a long time,” she said. “It has allowed me to have self-awareness and understand that I really don’t have time to fester in negative emotions toward love and men. It doesn’t serve me.”
Reading works by bell hooks has also influenced her perspective on love and relationships. “I can be annoyed and hurt, but I try to find perspective and compassion.”
Defining Success Beyond Awards and Recognition
For Olivia, success is not measured by the number of awards or the speed of her career trajectory. Instead, she defines it by the ability to bring people together and touch their lives.
“Success to me is venues and how many people you can gather in one space. It’s how many people you can touch.”
This philosophy has led her to take a stand against exorbitant ticket prices. She has demanded that Ticketmaster refund overcharged fans and cap prices, hoping to inspire fellow artists to follow suit.
“There is no way that I’m going to get up on that stage and sing my heart out while somebody sits at home and makes $500 or $600 off of me and you,” she declared. “I want people to be able to afford to come to the show. I don’t think you need to be someone who’s got loads of money to enjoy your favorite album. Full stop.”
A Growing Concern Over Ticket Prices
Olivia’s stance on ticket pricing comes at a time when other artists, such as Harry Styles, have faced criticism for sky-high ticket prices. For example, tickets for his Together Together tour ranged from £44 ($60.80) to £466.24 ($642.76) for seats, with VIP packages reaching up to £725 ($1,000). Similar concerns have arisen regarding Oasis’s 2025 reunion tour, where ticket prices soared to £350.
These issues have sparked outrage among fans, who argue that such pricing makes music inaccessible for many young fans. The controversy has even prompted a UK watchdog to investigate the use of dynamic ticket pricing.
