Zara Larsson
Zara Maria Larsson[1] (Swedish: [ˈsɑ̂ːra ˈlɑ̌ːʂɔn] ⓘ; born 16 December 1997) is a Swedish singer and songwriter. She first rose to prominence in 2008 after winning the second season of Talang, the Swedish version of the Got Talent format.[4] She later attained international recognition with singles including "Lush Life" (2015), "Never Forget You" (2015), "Girls Like" (2016) with Tinie Tempah, "This One's for You" with David Guetta, "Ain't My Fault" (2016), "Symphony" (2017) with Clean Bandit, "Ruin My Life" (2018) and "On My Love" (2023) with David Guetta.
Zara Larsson
In 2012, Larsson signed with the record label TEN Music Group and subsequently released her debut extended play, Introducing, in January 2013. The EP was supported by Larsson's first original single, "Uncover", which topped the charts in Scandinavia[5] and was certified 6x platinum in Sweden.[6] Her debut studio album, 1, followed in 2014.
Following her early success in Scandinavia, Larsson signed a three-year contract with Epic Records in the United States.[7] Her debut international album and second overall, So Good, was commercially successful and was released in March 2017. Larsson's third studio album, Poster Girl, followed four years later in March 2021. Her fourth studio album, Venus, was released on 9 February 2024.
Early life[edit]
Zara Maria Larsson was born at Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, Stockholm, to Agnetha and Anders Larsson.[1][8][9] In an interview with Svenska Dagbladet, she said that she was born "dead" due to a lack of oxygen from a nuchal cord.[9] Larsson grew up in Tallkrogen in Enskede, south of Stockholm. Her mother is a nursing assistant and her father is an officer.[10] She has a sister, Hanna, who is three years younger and is a singer and member of the band Lennix.[11]
Her first primary school was the Gubbängsskolan; she transferred to the Royal Swedish Ballet School in third grade.[12] She attended the secondary school Kulturama, an art school in Stockholm.[13] She has cited Carola Häggkvist and Whitney Houston as early inspirations. She has said that since the age of five she knew that she wanted to become "immortal" like Elvis Presley.[14]
Artistry and influences[edit]
Larsson is a pop singer. She has experimented with electropop,[3] house,[101] and dance music.[102] Additionally, she is influenced by R&B.[103][104]
She has cited Beyoncé as her biggest musical influence.[105] Larsson's Swedish influences include Robyn, Seinabo Sey, Sabina Ddumba and her sister Hanna, with her neo soul group Lennixx.[106] Additionally, her international influences include Christina Aguilera,[107] Rihanna, The Weeknd, Jay-Z, Ariana Grande, Jhené Aiko, and Lady Gaga.[108] During her childhood, Larsson's mother listened to Whitney Houston, Etta James, Celine Dion and Aretha Franklin.