Is that a clue?

Olivia Rodrigo goes bold in red bikini and mini skirt, and fans are convinced she teased “The Album”

Fans zeroed in on one detail in her post, and are circulating theories about new upcoming music

JANUARY 16, 2026 5:20 PM ESTJAN 16, 2026, 5:20 PM EST

Pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo shared a new photo dump from a mysterious exotic location, turning heads in a red bikini top and matching mini skirt. The singer’s photos quickly sparked speculation among fans. One image in particular appeared to hint at “The Album.”

Other photos featured Olivia, 22, posing in a sparkly black dress with a friend, while she also wore 'Happy New Year' headbands in other pictures. The singer's eagle-eyed followers then picked up on the fact that she shared an image of a golf buggy with the words 'The Album' printed on the side, a detail that immediately sent fans into theory mode about new music. Rodrigo's Instagram caption simply read: "hi 2026!!!!!"

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One fan responded in the comments: "THE ALBUM!!!! IS THIS IS A HINT? IM STILL CRYING AND SCREAMING OLIVIA ISABEL RODRIGO MY FAV SINGER WHATT?"

Olivia's album hint comes after she and her British actor boyfriend Louis Partridge reportedly ended their relationship last month, with a source telling The Sun newspaper, "They made such a lovely couple, so people who know them were shocked when they heard. It's not been the easiest few weeks for them, and they decided it's better to be apart for now."

Louis had previously praised the Vampire singer and felt that the pair were in a relationship "for the right reasons" despite the attention that comes from being in the spotlight together. The House of Guinness star told Esquire UK, "I just have no doubt that we're both in a relationship for the right reason, for example. I'm sure that's something you have to think about when you reach a certain level of success. It's nice to know that we can go to things together, and it's not the maddest thing in the world that you're sitting opposite, who knows what. You've got a friend in those times."

Louis Partridge and Olivia Rodrigo attended the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards

Louis also discussed being photographed passionately kissing Olivia at Wimbledon last summer. The 22-year-old actor said, "I was not aware that was going to be a thing. I did see a lot of photos from that; it felt quite public. Olivia and I choose, or have been choosing, not to be so public. Obviously, it has been quite a big summer for her with Glastonbury, but there's a sanctity to being private."