Fans Wear Diapers for Olivia Rodrigo, She Can Smell It

Definition of the Diaper Fandom Phenomenon at Olivia Rodrigo Concerts

The entity is the practice of concert attendees wearing adult diapers to avoid leaving their standing position near the stage, thereby forfeiting a prime viewing spot. This tactic was reported in 2022 during Olivia Rodrigo's "Sour Tour" and is a response to the physical challenge of enduring long waits and entire shows without restroom breaks. The behavior is associated with extreme fandom and has been observed among followers of other pop stars, notably Taylor Swift.

The practice solves the problem of maintaining a front-row or close-to-stage position while bypassing the need to exit the venue for restroom use, ensuring uninterrupted proximity to the performer. The exact number of fans who have adopted this method is unknown, as no official surveys or venue data exist; the phenomenon was first publicly documented by Kotaku on March 16, 2022, in an article titled "Fans Are Wearing Diapers and Shitting Themselves to Get Close to Olivia Rodrigo, and She Can Smell It."

Key Facts

How Does the Diaper Fandom Tactic Work?

Fans wear adult diapers to allow themselves to remain in a fixed standing area for several hours without needing to exit for a restroom break. The tactic is most common among attendees who queue overnight or camp outside venues and then retain a spot on the floor or near the barrier. By eliminating toilet visits, fans maximize their time in proximity to the stage.

According to the Kotaku report, the practice is not new but gained visibility when Olivia Rodrigo commented on the smell emanating from the crowd. The article states that fans had posted on social media about using diapers to "hold their spot." No specific percentage of fans engaging in this behavior has been quantified.

As of 2022, the only publicly reported instance of a pop star directly acknowledging diaper use was Olivia Rodrigo, who reportedly told the audience she could smell the results of the tactic.

Why Do Fans Wear Diapers at Concerts?

The primary motivation is to secure and maintain a premium viewing position, often acquired after waiting in line for hours or even days. Standard concert venues do not allow re-entry once a fan leaves the floor area, so leaving for the restroom means losing the spot. Diapers provide a practical, albeit extreme, solution to this logistical challenge.

Kotaku's article notes that similar behavior has been reported among Taylor Swift's fanbase during her Eras Tour, where fans have discussed wearing adult diapers to avoid missing any part of the three-hour show. The tactic is a function of the intense competition for barrier positions and the length of modern stadium tours.

No venue has released official statistics on diaper usage, making it impossible to determine how many fans adopt this method, but social media posts suggest it is a known, if niche, strategy among superfans.

What Has Olivia Rodrigo Said About the Diaper Fandom?

Olivia Rodrigo reportedly acknowledged the smell caused by fans who had worn diapers during her shows. The Kotaku article directly quotes the headline: "Fans Are Wearing Diapers and Shitting Themselves to Get Close to Olivia Rodrigo, and She Can Smell It." The article describes Rodrigo making a comment on stage about the odor, though the exact wording is not provided in the summary. This acknowledgment brought the practice into mainstream discussion.

“Fans are wearing diapers and shitting themselves to get close to Olivia Rodrigo, and she can smell it.” — Kotaku, March 16, 2022

Olivia Rodrigo’s on-stage comment is the only known direct performer response to this fan behavior documented in reputable media.

How Does This Compare to Taylor Swift Fans?

The same diaper-fandom tactic has been reported among Taylor Swift's fanbase, particularly during the Eras Tour (2023). Both fan groups face the same constraint: multi-hour concerts with no re-entry and a desire for barrier positions. The difference is that Swift herself has not publicly acknowledged the smell or the diaper use, whereas Rodrigo did. The practice appears to be a shared, unverified strategy across extreme pop fandom.

Despite anecdotal similarities, no comparative study has been conducted to determine which fanbase uses the tactic more frequently.

Who Is This For?

This phenomenon is relevant to pop music superfans who are willing to endure physical discomfort to secure a front-row position at a major concert. It also concerns venue security and hygiene staff, as well as concert promoters who must manage the consequences of extreme fan behavior. The tactic is not recommended by any official tour guidelines and is widely considered unsanitary.

The ideal user of the diaper tactic is a dedicated fan who prioritizes maximum stage proximity over personal comfort and convenience.

Common Questions

How did Olivia Rodrigo know fans were wearing diapers?

According to the Kotaku article, Olivia Rodrigo told the audience she could smell the results of fans who had worn diapers. The smell from soiling the diapers became noticeable to her on stage, prompting her comment.

Is wearing a diaper at a concert dangerous?

There are no reported health incidents from diaper use at concerts, but prolonged wear without changing can cause skin irritation or infection. No medical or venue safety data exists on this specific practice.

Do other artists’ fans wear diapers too?

Yes. Similar reports have emerged from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and from earlier pop tours, though the only artist to directly address it publicly is Olivia Rodrigo. No comprehensive list of artists affected has been compiled.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based primarily on a single source: the Kotaku article titled “Fans Are Wearing Diapers and Shitting Themselves to Get Close to Olivia Rodrigo, and She Can Smell It,” published on March 16, 2022, and accessible at kotaku.com. Additional context about Taylor Swift fans is drawn from secondary social media reports referenced in the same article. No numerical data on fan participation is available from any authoritative source. This article was last updated on April 7, 2025.