Okay, let’s be real for a second. We’ve all been there—stuck in traffic, scrolling through headlines, and suddenly your brain goes: Wait, how old is Olivia Rodrigo’s ex, actually? It’s one of those tiny mysteries that pops up like a song lyric you can’t place. And honestly? It’s a totally valid question.

Here’s the deal: when we say “Olivia Rodrigo’s ex,” we’re usually talking about Joshua Bassett, her High School Musical: The Musical: The Series co-star and the guy who inspired a whole lot of heartbreak anthems. As of 2024, Joshua Bassett is 20 years old—born December 22, 2003. That makes him just a few months younger than Olivia, who was born in February 2003.

Think of it this way: they’re both basically the same age as that friend who still doesn’t know how to cook rice but can recite every Taylor Swift bridge. Relatable, right?

Why does their age even matter?

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop, and you overhear someone say, “She was totally the older one in that relationship.” You’d want to fact-check that with a quick mental math. Ages give us context—they help us understand the emotional maturity, the timeline, and why those breakup songs hit so hard.

When Olivia wrote “Driver’s License,” she was just 17. Joshua was 17, too. That means they were navigating the same chaos: high school drama, awkward first loves, and the terrifying realization that your feelings are valid even if you’re young. It’s like remembering your own teenage heartbreaks—except theirs ended up on the Billboard charts.

Who Is Olivia Rodrigo's Ex-Boyfriend? All About Zack BiaWho Is Olivia Rodrigo's Ex-Boyfriend? All About Zack Bia

The real tea

Here’s the funny thing: people often ask if Olivia’s ex is “older” or “more mature.” Spoiler: he’s not. They’re practically birth-year twins. It’s like asking if your left sock is older than your right sock—technically, they came from the same pack.

But here’s where it gets juicy. Rumors also swirl about another ex: Zach Bia, a music industry figure she briefly dated in 2022. He’s 28—a whole decade older than her. That’s the kind of age gap that makes your mom raise an eyebrow and your friends go, “Girl, no.” It’s the difference between freaking out over a pop quiz and stressing about rent payments.

Olivia Rodrigo’s ex suffered heart failure after release of ‘DriversOlivia Rodrigo’s ex suffered heart failure after release of ‘Drivers

Why you should care (in the fun way)

Caring about Olivia’s ex’s age isn’t about gossip for the sake of it. It’s about relating to the messiness of love. When you know Joshua was 17 when he broke her heart, you realize: teenagers make dumb mistakes. It’s not some Hollywood scandal—it’s just two kids figuring out life, except one of them can sing about it.

Next time you’re scrolling playlists, remember: that song about crying in a car? It was written by a girl who wasn’t even old enough to buy a lottery ticket. And that makes it even more powerful.

Olivia Rodrigo Admits Accidentally Following Ex Joshua Bassett OnOlivia Rodrigo Admits Accidentally Following Ex Joshua Bassett On

The takeaway

So, how old is Olivia Rodrigo’s ex? 20-ish, give or take a few months. But the real answer? Old enough to be a part of music history, young enough to still be learning from his mistakes. Just like the rest of us.

And if you still can’t remember the exact number, don’t sweat it. Just hum along to “good 4 u” and trust that the age isn’t the point—it’s the feeling. We’ve all been there.