Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival faces vendor backlash

Olivia Rodrigo’s inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival, held in Irvine, California, is facing backlash from women-owned small businesses regarding unpaid wages and poor working conditions. While the event reportedly raised $20 million for organizations supporting women, participating vendors claim the success came at their expense.

Ugly Oats Kitchen owner Mary Chacon described the event as a significant financial risk, noting that the business had to shut down regular operations and produce thousands of cookies to meet requirements. Chacon alleged that organizers, DLS Events, imposed a 35% fee on sales and threatened fines if food ran out. She also reported harsh conditions, including staff heat exhaustion and being stranded at booths until 1:00 AM.

Similarly, Por Suerte Cookies reported experiencing a financial loss and stated they are still waiting to receive payments owed to them from the festival. The vendors' criticisms highlight a disconnect between the festival’s mission of supporting women and the treatment of the female entrepreneurs providing services at the event.