‘Embarrassing’: Pop singer sparks debate after paying for her boyfriend’s meal

A photo of a pop singer and her boyfriend dining out has gone viral online, sparking immediate debate over one small detail.

A photo of pop singer Olivia Rodrigo paying for a meal for herself and her boyfriend has sparked a viral debate.

The 22-year-old singer, rumoured to have a net worth of over $25 million, was seen tapping her card via her phone while her actor boyfriend, Louis Partridge, 22, watched.

Partridge is a working actor known for his work in television shows like Disclaimer and Pistol, but he certainly isn’t on the same income level as Rodrigo.

Rodrigo’s critically acclaimed Guts tour, which spanned four continents, reportedly grossed over $180 million.

There are no estimates of Partridge’s wealth online, but it is probably fair to assume he is doing better than most 22-year-olds; however, he isn’t exactly headlining world tours like his girlfriend.

Either way, the fact that Rodrigo looked like she paid for a meal in her long-term relationship has got people riled up.

The pair have been together since 2023. Picture: John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Louis Partridge is known for his roles on various TV shows. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The Gen Z pair have been together since late 2023.

They have certainly been seen as ‘couple goals’ in the past, with Partridge often supporting her at her sold-out shows.

They’re also not interested in hiding their relationship and are photographed hanging out with friends, going shopping, and attending events together.

They’ve always been a very uncontroversial couple … well, until she paid for some food.

The photo of Rodrigo covering their bill went viral, garnering over 15 million views and getting people quite riled up.

She was seen holding her phone out to pay for the bill. Picture: X

The original poster of the photo, from a fan account on X, took immediate issue with Rodrigo paying for their date.

“Now why is Louis having my girl paying the check? Olivia Rodrigo get up,” the caption read.

It quickly morphed into a viral debate on who should foot the bill.

Some people argued that it didn’t matter if Rodrigo is a multi-millionaire, her boyfriend should still always be the one paying.

“I feel bad for Olivia. She deserves better,” one wrote.

“I will never understand a woman who rides so hard for splitting or paying the bill,” someone else said.

Another person argued that only “a boy” would let a woman pay and a real man would always cover the bill, while another went full-throttle and said women “defending this are so pathetic”.

Adding: “Men will never defend you like this, you’re embarrassing yourself.”

Someone else claimed that her paying would just make her boyfriend feel like a “broke loser” and was a flex.

Some didn’t understand why people were so hung up on gender roles. Picture: XNY/Star Max/GC Images

Other people argued that Rodrigo is the “breadwinner” and question why she shouldn’t be paying. Pointing out that she is a millionaire, so paying for a simple dinner wouldn’t be a big deal.

“This is not a bad thing at all,” someone reasoned.

“Paying for dinner makes no dent in her pockets at all, she probably doesn’t even think about it,” one argued.

“God forbid a woman wants to be accountable,” someone else joked.

“Why can’t she pay for their meal? You don’t know anything about their relationship. Maybe they pay every other outing. Maybe she wants to treat her man,” one theorised.

Another person else pointed out that not every couple is obsessed with “gender roles”, and women paying now is normal.

Originally published as ‘Embarrassing’: Pop singer sparks debate after paying for her boyfriend’s meal