Zara Larsson Shares Her Dream Aspirations

A black SUV arrived at the curb outside Destroyer in Culver City, where Zara Larsson stepped out with a vibrant energy reminiscent of a float rider in the Rose Parade. The 28-year-old Swedish singer has steadily carved her niche in pop music over the past decade, gaining traction with a series of infectious singles like “Lush Life,” “Never Forget You,” and “Ruin My Life,” which have accumulated hundreds of millions of streams. However, it wasn’t until this year that she secured her place among the industry’s elite with the release of her fifth studio album’s title track, “Midnight Sun.”

Praise for “Midnight Sun” has been widespread, with Pitchfork highlighting it as one of the songs of the summer. The review referred to it as “‘Ray of Light’ via Jersey club by way of Lisa Frank,” noting that it seemed “designed in a lab to short-circuit gay guys’ critical thinking.” The track has garnered a Grammy nomination in the dance pop recording category, marking Larsson’s first nomination alongside notable artists like Lady Gaga and Tate McRae.

On a warm December morning, Larsson, dressed in a sparkling mini-dress and colorful shrug, reflected on her career’s promising trajectory over breakfast, ahead of her performance at iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball concert. “It’s so much nicer to be here right now than back home,” she remarked, her blond hair glistening in the sunlight. “In Sweden, it’s snowy and cold, and it gets dark so early. You’ll be like, ‘Guys, it’s really late — we should go to sleep.’ Then you realize it’s 3:30.”

When asked about her connection to America, she emphasized the allure of the entertainment industry, stating, “There’s something motivating about coming to the land of trying for success versus being at home, where we’re just happy with our insurance and our healthcare. There’s no grind.” Larsson began visiting Los Angeles for work at a young age, typically accompanied by her mother, which added to her youthful ambition. “I always came with my mom. I didn’t really have any friends here but then I wrote some people on Instagram around my age and was just like, ‘You wanna grab lunch?’”

Larsson appreciates the freedom and inspiration she finds in Los Angeles, viewing it as a place where creativity thrives. “Having friends here changes everything. If I have a weekend, I can drive somewhere and see somebody,” she said, noting the joy of driving as a means of personal reflection away from screens.

In discussing her latest album, Larsson expressed confidence, declaring it her best work to date. “For sure. I think it’s better because it’s more me,” she asserted, explaining how her early experiences in the industry, making music with much older individuals, felt isolating. “This was the first project where I’d collected people that felt like my friends and we were making this truly together.”

Addressing the emotional challenges of the music industry, she shared, “Someone said that being an artist, what wears you down isn’t people hating on you — it’s being ignored.” While she has faced criticism, her political opinions have drawn some negative attention. “Sometimes, but that wasn’t really for my music — that was for my political opinions. But at least there’s energy in that,” she noted.

Larsson reflected on her dreams of winning a Grammy, mentioning she has long imagined the moment. “Me and the mirror growing up were like [crosses fingers]. When I think back on it, the mirror was like the ultimate manifestation tool.”

As she prepares to perform at Jingle Ball, she dismissed concerns about radio play, saying, “With love and respect for iHeart, I really did not give a f— about radio.” She continued, “Wanting to do something for other people — Will the radio play this? — is not very inspiring.” Larsson recognized that stepping away from these pressures surprisingly led to more opportunities.

The singer also expressed her desire for success in the United States, clear from her choice to sing in English rather than Swedish. “Yes. That’s why I never wanted to sing in Swedish,” she stated emphatically. Larsson also talked about the vibrant music scene in Sweden, citing artists like Robyn and Ace of Base, who paved the way for her ambitions.

Regarding the notable dominance of women in pop music contrasted with men in production roles, Larsson expressed her appreciation for female collaborators, particularly on her latest project. “I f— love them. Elvira is one of my favorite producers,” she shared. “I knew a few years back that I never want to be in the studio with only men. I’ve done that so many times, and they were always very nice. But I never felt truly seen and heard in those rooms.”