With 15 years in the music industry already under her belt, Zara Larsson stands firm in her confidence. But that’s not to say she’s only some wisened elder. At just 25 years old, the singer maintains a rambunctious spirit. One moment she’s discussing mental health in the music industry; the next she’s defending “Resentment” as Beyoncé’s best song. Above all else, though, she has found power in her sense of self.
Larsson has, as she says, “wanted to sing for as many people as possible” since she was 10 years old. She competed on Sweden’s Got Talent, yet it took another five years for her to land a major record deal. “I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’m flopping,’” Larsson remembers with a laugh. “I was way more stressed as a 10-year-old than I am now.”
Dress BLUMARINE / Rings SWAROVSKI / Hat stylist’s own / Shoes FIDAN NOVRUZOVA
Today, Larsson reflects on this younger self and wants to channel some of her incredibly spirited characteristics. In the music video for her new single, “Can’t Tame Her,” for example, Larsson battles against her “wild side,” which she considers a version of her pre-teen self. “I miss her,” Larsson says. “Come back, wild Zara! She is who I’m singing about— she’s crazy, she’s wild, she’s doing whatever she wants, and nobody can stop her.” When it comes to merging past and present Zara, she hopes to keep her ferocity intact. “I hope this energy I’m feeling from this song will stay forever,” Larsson dotes. “That is what I want to feel. I want to be untamable.”
Digging through old memories, Larsson reflected on her days of pre-teen performance. Even before Sweden’s Got Talent and her entrance into the modern pop market, the singer knew she was bound for stardom. “I always loved to be on stage, always loved the attention,” Larsson reminisces. “If I wasn’t performing, I would be the class clown. I just want to entertain people. That is absolutely my purpose in life.”
Still, finding that audience didn’t come easy. Unlike the slew of nepo babies flooding the industry, Larsson had no “momager” to help her out. “I guess some parents, they live out their dreams of being a superstar through their kids, but my parents are so not interested in music in that way,” Larsson reflects. “I actually don’t know where it comes from, because they gave me a lot of attention growing up. So it wasn’t like I was deprived of like, ‘see me, love me,’ you know? It’s weird. That’s why I say I feel like I was born to do this.”
Larsson was also quick to give advice to all the young performers out there: focus on your craft, and not necessarily the accolades. “For some reason, I think it all started when I was younger by me wanting to be famous more than really wanting to be a performer,” Larsson reasons. “You want people to love you, but if you focus on why you want to be famous or for what reason, then the stress eases a little bit.”
As members of the digital generation, Generations Z and Alpha have unparalleled access to information. With a quick Google search, anything is knowable. Larsson’s wisdom for growing creatives? Use it wisely. “The internet is an amazing place to learn new things and create a community,” Larsson says. “I think 15-year-olds today have a way deeper and better understanding of that than when I was 15.”
Top ISABEL MARANT / Skirt LEFT HAND LA / Sunglasses VERSACE / Shoes JIMMY CHOO / Belts stylist’s own
Still, social media can also be a silent killer. At the time of our conversation, the singer had garnered some controversy for a TikTok supporting talking in movie theatres. “I think I just have to let go of the dream of like, I want everybody to love me online because it’s never gonna happen,” Larsson reflects. Even with these flashes of internet drama, Larsson still recognizes the importance of social media in the life of a modern creative. “When you want to be an artist, you don’t want to just make music,” Larsson notes. “You’re a content creator, you’re an editor, you’re a fashion girly, you’re a commentator. People want to see that side of you. At least I do.”
As we sit on our hands waiting for the new album, Larsson provides a sneak peek into the forthcoming project. While “Can’t Tame Her” may have been an ‘80s club banger, we shouldn’t expect the album to only reflect that sound. “There are some high highs and some low lows,” Larsson details. “Some heart-wrenching ballads, some going to the club, some hip-hop/R&B. It’s more of a rollercoaster, which is what I love. I think creating this song and the rest of the album has been so much fun.”
This story appears in the pages of MINI V: Issue Two (Summer 2023): now available for purchase!
Photography Charlotte Rutherford
Fashion Annie Lavie
Interview Henry Chandonnet
Editor-in-Chief Mathias Rosenzweig
Editor Kevin Ponce
Makeup Dana Delaney (The Wall Group)
Hair Preston Wada (Rare Global)
Manicure Imoan Nails
Photo Assistants Lance Williams, Joey Abreu
Stylist Assistant Ella Mae
Production Photobomb
Location Jk Media Studio, Los Angeles
