If you were online in 2022, you definitely saw the grainy paparazzi shots of Olivia Rodrigo walking through New York City with a guy who looked like he’d just walked off a Drake music video set. That guy was Zack Bia. At the time, she was coming off the colossal, world-shaking success of SOUR, and he was the quintessential "cool guy" of the LA nightlife scene. People were confused. They were obsessed. And mostly, they were skeptical.
Honestly, the pairing felt like a fever dream. You had the voice of a generation, then only 19, dating a 26-year-old DJ known for being the connective tissue of Hollywood’s elite. It wasn’t just a random fling; it was a cultural moment that still gets brought up every time a new heartbreak anthem hits the radio.
The Timeline: From the Super Bowl to "It's Over"
The whole thing kicked off in February 2022. While everyone else was focused on the halftime show, Zack Bia and Olivia Rodrigo were reportedly hitting it off at a Super Bowl party where he was DJing. Sources at the time told People and E! News that he invited her out, they "hit it off," and they started "casually hanging out."
By April, things were less "casual" and more "paparazzi bait." They were spotted at Bar Pitti in NYC, looking cozy but trying to stay low-key. Olivia was in the middle of her SOUR tour, and Zack was frequently seen in the wings or leaving hotels with her.
It wasn't a long-term thing. By August 2022, the flame had reportedly fizzled out. Why? The usual Hollywood script: busy schedules and "different friend groups."
- February 2022: Initial sparks at Super Bowl weekend.
- April 2022: Photographed together in New York City during her tour.
- June 2022: Sources finally confirm they are "officially dating."
- August 2022: The breakup reports surface.
Six months. That's it. But in the world of pop music, six months is enough time to inspire a double-platinum album.
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Is "Vampire" Actually About Zack Bia?
This is the question that keeps the internet up at night. When Olivia dropped "Vampire" in June 2023, the lyrics were brutal. She sang about a "bloodsucker" who "only comes out at night" and someone who made her feel like she was being used for her status.
Naturally, the internet did what the internet does. They looked at Zack's job. He’s a DJ. He literally only works at night. They looked at the age gap. "Went for me, not for her, 'cause girls your age know better." Zack was seven years older than her.
Zack actually addressed this himself. In a GQ interview, he basically said, "I don't think it's about me." He argued that their relationship wasn't dramatic enough to warrant a song like that. He called her a "generational talent" and said there was no beef. However, a source close to Olivia’s camp told the same publication they weren't so sure about Zack's "no drama" claim.
There's also the Madison Beer factor. Zack’s ex, Madison Beer, tweeted "thank you miss Olivia" when the song came out. Since Madison also has a song rumored to be about Zack ("Selfish"), the math started mathing for most fans.
Who Exactly Is Zack Bia?
If you don't spend your time looking at the credits of rap albums or the guest lists of West Hollywood clubs, you might not know who Zack Bia actually is. He didn't start as a celebrity. He started as a promoter.
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He was 19 when he had a chance encounter with Fetty Wap at a club. From there, he became the guy who knew everyone. By the time he met Olivia, he was running his own label, Field Trip Recordings, and was tight with Drake. Some people call him a "socialite," others call him a "music executive."
What’s interesting is that Zack seems to be a magnet for high-profile relationships. Before Olivia, it was Madison Beer. He was also linked to Madelyn Cline from Outer Banks. He occupies this weird space where he’s more famous for who he knows and who he dates than any single piece of "work," even though he actually does run a successful business.
Why People Were Worried
The fan backlash was real. Olivia’s fans are protective. They saw a 19-year-old girl who had just been through a very public breakup (the Joshua Bassett/Sabrina Carpenter saga) and felt like she was being "targeted" by an older guy who "collected" famous girlfriends.
Olivia seemed to hint at these regrets herself. In an interview with The New York Times, she mentioned that after SOUR, she felt a pressure to make mistakes and grow up fast, which led to her dating people she "probably shouldn't have."
She didn't name names. She didn't have to.
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Moving Forward: Life After the Relationship
Since the split, Olivia has moved on in a big way. She’s been linked to Louis Partridge, and her career has only skyrocketed. She’s no longer the teenager crying in her car; she’s a rockstar selling out arenas.
Zack is still Zack. He’s still DJing, still running his label, and still popping up in the background of every major celebrity event. He seems to have mastered the art of being "famous-adjacent" without ever truly becoming the main character in a way that sticks—except, perhaps, in the lyrics of a hit song.
What We Can Learn From the Zack and Olivia Saga
The fascination with Zack Bia and Olivia Rodrigo isn't just about gossip. It's about the power dynamics of Hollywood. It’s a classic story of a young star trying to find her footing while being surrounded by people who have been in the game much longer.
If you’re following this story, the best thing you can do is look at the art. Whether "Vampire" is 100% about Zack or a "composite character" of all the guys who let her down, it resonated because that feeling of being used is universal.
To stay truly informed, don't just follow the headlines—listen to the lyrics and watch the interviews. The truth usually sits somewhere in the middle of a GQ denial and a Billboard #1 hit. Keep an eye on Olivia's upcoming projects; she's proven that she's the best at turning personal "mistakes" into professional gold.