Jimmy Kimmel Faces Backlash For Commenting On Olivia Rodrigo’s Appearance: “New Insecurity Unlocked, Thanks So Much!”

Jimmy Kimmel landed himself in some hot water after he made a comment about Olivia Rodrigo‘s appearance during her recent visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Though the interview kicked off with an adorable moment Rodrigo shared with Kimmel’s kids on their way to school, their conversation concluded on a rather awkward note.

Kimmel showed the audience the artwork for Rodrigo’s latest album Guts, which features a close-up photo of her mouth. The late night host then pointed to one of her teeth and said, “You’ve got your mouth and a little chip of your tooth there, also.”

He then joked, “You’re not perfect after all!”

Kimmel’s comments seemed to catch his guest by surprise as she responded, “Y’know, Jimmy, I actually wasn’t aware that I had a chip in my tooth until this very moment. So, new insecurity unlocked, thanks so much!”

She later laughed as Kimmel doubled down on his comments, saying she should “have a dentist on set any time” she is filming or shooting something in the future.

“Not so perfect after all” why would he say that???? omg pic.twitter.com/LJEpytLtwC

— alex 💭 ⁷ (@nothnghppens) October 26, 2023

Fans on social media appeared to be shocked by Kimmel’s offhanded comments.

“Why would he even say that ??” one wondered, while others pointed out that it was an especially odd remark to say considering Rodrigo has previously written about feeling insecure in a number of her songs.

“The fact that she has so many songs talking about beauty standards and feeling imperfect and he chose to point out a tiny ridge on her tooth?” someone wrote on X, as another noted how Kimmel relentlessly “just kept going” during the bit.

The rest of the interview continued without a hitch, thankfully. Kimmel even revealed that he and his family have to listen to clean versions of Rodrigo’s music at home because his young son likes to sing along.

“It happens,” he said after Rodrigo apologized. “You’re not the Wiggles.”

But the “Driver’s License” singer revealed the album was originally going to be a bit raunchier than it turned out.

“I love using a swear word when it’s tasteful or necessary. There were a few songs on the album where I was swearing all over them and I had to kind of pare them back,” she said.

She revealed the original lyrics she wrote for “get him back!” and “all-american bitch” were not as clean as they are on the album, but she decided to change them after realizing, “My mom listens to this.” 

Scroll up to watch the rest of the interview.

Jimmy Kimmel Live airs weeknights at 11:35/10:35c on ABC.