Olivia Rodrigo Slams Cornell Over Handling of Alleged Fraternity Sexual Assault

Singer Olivia Rodrigo has publicly denounced Cornell University and other institutions for their alleged protection of perpetrators of sexual assault. Her statement rallies behind Jane Doe, a woman who claims she was drugged and repeatedly sexually assaulted by multiple male students at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.

In a lawsuit filed on September 16, Doe alleges she was plied with alcohol and pressured to take ketamine before enduring hours of sexual assault while intoxicated. The case, involving seven accused fraternity brothers, has gained renewed attention following the civil suit. While Cornell conducted its own investigation and disciplined some students, a criminal probe by the District Attorney's office did not result in charges.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has since appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor in the case. The lawsuit names the university, seven fraternity members, and a local bar as defendants. Doe has since dropped out of the university. According to the lawsuit, only two of the seven accused students were expelled, while others were reportedly assigned essays as disciplinary action.

Three of the accused men—Scott Kretzschmar, Scott Norris, and Gillio Lopes—have publicly denied participating in the alleged assaults or drug use. The remaining four accused men reportedly admitted to sexual contact with Doe but claimed it was consensual.

Rodrigo shared her statement on Instagram Stories, writing, "Shame on Cornell and on every institution who protects rapists and abusers over women. I stand with Jane Doe. Her bravery reverberates across the country and the crimes against her will not go unpunished."

Rodrigo also re-posted content calling for schools to provide "economic reparations" to survivors and shared an article about "Carry That Weight," a 2014 art project by Columbia University student Emma Sulkowicz, who alleged she was raped by a classmate. "What she lived through matters, and so does the failure of those who could have intervened but chose not to. She deserves answers, consequences, and lasting change," Rodrigo added.

Rodrigo is not the first celebrity to speak out on the matter. Actresses Florence Pugh and Mariska Hargitay, along with actors Hudson Williams and Josh Gad, have also condemned the alleged actions and the university's response. Pugh expressed her unease and anxiety upon reading about the case, urging men to lead conversations about changing behavior and complicity. Hargitay stated, "We refuse for this victim to be reduced to just another story. Cornell has failed to protect its students." Gad criticized the disciplinary actions, calling the idea of assigning essays for such allegations "insane."