Zara Maria Larsson, born on December 16, 1997, in Solna, Stockholm, Sweden, is a Swedish pop singer and songwriter who rose to fame at age 10 after winning Sweden’s “Talang” in 2008; she was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck but was successfully resuscitated. Larsson grew up in Tallkrogen in Enskede, south of Stockholm. Her mother is a nursing assistant and her father is an office She has a sister, Hanna, who is three years younger and is a singer and member of the band Lennix.Her first primary school was the Gubbängsskolan; she transferred to the Royal Swedish Ballet School in third grade. She attended the secondary school Kulturama, an art school in Stockholm. 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. Larsson, a fan of Beyoncé, identifies as a feminist and models herself an “activist” after the singer. She attributes her openness of opinion on social media and in interviews to her parents, claiming: “Both my parents are very educated when it comes to social issues and being woke about what’s going on in the world, and they’ve been very supportive of me having a voice”. Since 2020, Larsson has been in a relationship with Swedish dancer Lamin Holmén.
Four: On My Love ft David Guetta
“On My Love” is a dance-pop/EDM single by Zara Larsson and David Guetta, released on 15 September 2023 as the third single from her fourth studio album Venus; clocking in at 3 minutes 42 seconds, the song—co-written by Larsson, David Guetta, Giorgio Tuinfort, Dewain Whitmore Jr., Andre and Sean Davidson, and Patrick Smith—blends emotional lyrics about unwavering devotion with an Ibiza-ready, upbeat production. It has garnered over 182M streams on spotify and over 19M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. This track is celebrated through a sentimental music video featuring home footage and present-day moments with her sister Hanna, and it soared to the Top 3 in Sweden and Latvia and Top 10 in Norway and the Czech Republic. “On My Love” debuted at number 3 on the Swedish Singles Chart, peaked at number 3 in Latvia, reached number 8 in Norway, and entered the top 10 in the Czech Republic, with critics praising its euphoric production, heartfelt lyrics, and the sentimental music video featuring Zara Larsson’s sister Hanna, solidifying it as one of the standout singles from her 2024 Venus album.
FYI
- In order to increase public understanding of incontinence, she has openly stated that she used diapers until she was seven years old.
Three: Can’t Tame Her
Released on January 26, 2023, “Can’t Tame Her” is a vibrant synth-pop/dance-pop anthem by Zara Larsson from her album Venus, co-written with MNEK and produced by MTHR. The song was Zara’s first release under her own label, Sommer House, in partnership with Epic Records, signaling a new era of creative control and independence. It gas garnered over 198M streams on spotify and over 22M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. It peaked at #9 on the Swedish Singles Chart, reached #4 on the Bulgarian Singles Chart, it was certified gold in UK, and peaked at #1 on the Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart in United States. “Can’t Tame Her” was nominated for “Best Song” at the 2024 Global Awards. Critics praised the song’s 1980s-inspired synth-pop sound, its empowering lyrics about independence and self-expression, and Zara’s confident vocal performance. “Can’t Tame Her” is an empowering anthem celebrating female independence and defiance against societal expectations. Zara Larsson described the song as a reflection of how the public often tries to confine celebrities to certain behaviours, and the track serves as a declaration of freedom and self-expression.
Two: Midnight Sun
Serving as her must recent release, “Midnight Sun” is an electro-pop track released on June 13, 2025, as the second single from her upcoming fifth studio album, Midnight Sun, set to drop on September 26, 2025. The song blends house, trance, and EDM elements, featuring energetic breakbeats, atmospheric synths, and expansive pop production. Lyrically, it captures the essence of Swedish summer nights, evoking feelings of freedom and nostalgia. It has garnered over 17M streams on spotify and over 3.1M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. “Midnight Sun” has garnered significant attention, reaching number 9 on the Swedish Singles Chart, marking Zara’s 20th top-ten entry in her home country. It has also charted in several other countries, including Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Panama, and Lithuania, showcasing its international appeal. Critics have praised “Midnight Sun” for its nostalgic yet modern sound. The official music video for “Midnight Sun” features a Y2K-inspired aesthetic, incorporating elements like neon colors and futuristic visuals, aligning with the song’s vibrant energy and themes of eternal summer nights.
Awards/Nominations
- Larsson is the recipient of numerous awards including four Grammis, four MTV European Music Awards and eight Rockbjörnen.
- In 2023, she was honoured with a Bambi in ‘Music International’ category at the 2023 Bambi Awards.
Discography
– 1 (2014)
– So Good (2017)
– Poster Girl (2021)
– Venus (2024)
– Midnight Sun (2025)
Controversy
In March 2019, it was announced that Larsson had started a commercial cooperation with Chinese technology company Huawei. Larsson’s cooperation with Huawei was criticised by experts on human rights in China and others, who referred to Huawei’s close ties to the authoritarian Chinese government and its record on human rights. In August 2020, Larsson announced that she had terminated her cooperation with Huawei, stating that China is “not a nice state” and that she does not stand behind its policies.
One: Lush Life
“Released on June 5, 2015, ‘Lush Life’ is an infectious tropical house and dance-pop anthem co-written by Zara Larsson, Elof Loelv, and Kristoffer Fogelmark that catapulted Zara to international stardom with its catchy, carefree lyrics making this track one of her biggest hits of all time. It has garnered over 1.7M streams on spotify and over 866M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. The song topped charts in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, reached the Top 10 in the UK, Australia, Germany, and more, earned multi-platinum certifications in the US, UK, Australia, and double platinum in Sweden, and was praised by critics for its irresistible melody and production, becoming a defining pop anthem of the mid-2010s and a permanent fixture on summer playlists worldwide. The official music video, released in July 2015, features Zara in colourful, high-energy scenes with dance choreography and vibrant party vibes, perfectly matching the song’s joyful spirit. While “Lush Life” didn’t scoop up a Grammy or global awards on its own, “Lush Life” was a certified commercial smash and critical favourite that put Zara on the international map and paved the way for her future wins.