Before the Grammys, the record-breaking tours, and that famous blue butterfly aesthetic, Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett were just two Disney kids trying to make a long-distance relationship work—at least on screen. Honestly, if you were scrolling through TikTok or Twitter in early 2021, you couldn't escape the drama. But amidst the "drivers license" chaos and the "blonde girl" theories, a specific moment from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (HSMTMTS) remains the most authentic snapshot of their creative chemistry.
Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett Even When / The Best Part isn't just another soundtrack entry. It’s a technical marvel of songwriting that basically blurred the lines between their fictional characters, Nini and Ricky, and the real-life magic everyone thought they saw between the two actors.
The "Accidental Duet" That Wasn't an Accident
The concept behind "Even When / The Best Part" is kinda brilliant in its simplicity. In the show’s second season, Nini is away at a performing arts school in Denver while Ricky is back in Salt Lake City. It's Valentine's Day. They both decide to surprise each other with a song over voicemail.
The twist?
They aren't singing the same song. Olivia's character, Nini, sings "The Best Part," a soulful, steady track about finding security in a person. Joshua's character, Ricky, sings "Even When," a more frantic, acoustic guitar-driven piece about the anxiety of being apart. When you play them at the same time, they lock together like a puzzle.
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Showrunner Tim Federle has called it an "accidental duet," but the actual production was anything but accidental. Songwriters Mitch Allan, Michelle Zarlenga, and Chantry Johnson had to perform what they called "mental gymnastics" to make the two melodies coexist without clashing. They literally wrote the verses simultaneously. It’s a rare piece of musical television where the structure of the song actually tells the story of the characters' disconnect.
Why This Song Hits Different in 2026
Looking back from where we are now in 2026, the song feels like a time capsule. Olivia has moved on to global superstardom and recent high-profile relationships, while Joshua has navigated his own path through public health struggles and spiritual shifts. But "Even When / The Best Part" captures a period where their voices blended in a way that felt effortless.
You’ve probably noticed how fans still bring this song up whenever a "new" Olivia breakup makes the news. Why? Because it represents the peak of the "Rini" era. It wasn't about the heartbreak yet. It was about the hope.
- The Contrast: Joshua’s part is higher-energy, reflecting Ricky’s nerves.
- The Anchor: Olivia’s vocals are grounded, providing the harmonic floor for the duet.
- The Lyrics: "The best part is knowin' there's someone in my life that makes it all worthwhile" remains one of the most quoted lines in the HSMTMTS fandom.
The Real Chemistry on Set
It’s no secret that the vibe on the HSMTMTS set was intense. Joshua Bassett actually improvised the moment Ricky told Nini he loved her for the first time in Season 1. He even used real-life memories of them writing songs together to get a genuine reaction out of Olivia.
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When they filmed "Even When / The Best Part," they weren't even in the same room. Joshua revealed to Billboard that he played guitar and sang along to Olivia’s pre-recorded vocals in his ear while he shot his side of the scene. Even with that physical distance, the timing is impeccable. It's the kind of professional synchronicity you don't see often with young actors.
The Technical Breakdown: How it Works
If you’re a music nerd, the construction of this track is fascinating.
"Even When" (Joshua's song) uses a specific rhythmic pattern that leaves "holes" in the melody. "The Best Part" (Olivia's song) fills those holes. It’s a counterpoint technique. They aren't just singing over each other; they are answering each other. It’s a metaphor for a relationship where two people are on completely different pages but still trying to speak the same language.
By the time the chorus hits, the two songs merge into a singular harmony. It’s satisfying. It’s also kinda heartbreaking when you realize that shortly after this episode aired, the real-world narrative surrounding Olivia and Joshua took a sharp turn into "SOUR" territory.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Song
A lot of people think they wrote this song together. They didn't. While they did co-write "Just for a Moment" in the first season, "Even When / The Best Part" was handled by a professional writing team to ensure the two-song-in-one gimmick actually worked.
Another misconception? That it was a late addition to capitalize on the "drivers license" hype. Actually, the song was written and recorded well before Olivia’s solo career exploded. It was a product of the Season 2 production cycle, which happened during the height of the pandemic.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're a songwriter or a fan trying to appreciate the track on a deeper level, here is how to really experience it:
- Listen to the Solos: Find the individual versions of "Even When" and "The Best Part" on the Season 2 soundtrack. Listen to them separately first to hear the gaps.
- Watch the Performance: Go back to the Season 2, Episode 3 visuals. Notice how the editing mirrors the musical shifts.
- Study the Counterpoint: If you’re writing your own music, this is a masterclass in how to write a duet for two characters who aren't together.
The legacy of Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett Even When / The Best Part is that it proved these two weren't just "Disney stars." They were—and are—musicians who understood the power of a well-placed harmony. Even if the real-life story didn't have a fairytale ending, this song remains a perfect, three-minute version of what might have been.
To fully understand the evolution of their sound, you should compare the raw, acoustic nature of this duet with Olivia's more polished work on GUTS or Joshua's later experimental EPs. The growth is massive, but the foundation was laid right here in a fictional dorm room and a voicemail.