Zara Larsson Covers ‘Allure,’ Talks Taking Creative Control: ‘I Want to Build a World’
Categoria: Musica
The Swedish pop star opens up about shedding her child star image and building the world of her Midnight Sun era in an interview with Allure.
Por Billboard | 24/09/2026
After spending nearly 20 years in the spotlight, Zara Larsson is ready for a new phase of her career on her own terms. Related Zara Larsson on ‘Dream’ of Headlining Coachella, Why ‘Blue Moon’ Deserves More ‘Love’ & Her ‘Respect’ for Macklemore Speaking Out Zara Larsson Talks Macklemore Speaking Out, Her Workout Routine & Viral Concert Moments | Billboard News Interview Zara Larsson Slams White House for Using ‘Midnight Sun’ in ICE Video: ‘So Dehumanizing’ In a new Allure cover story, the Swedish singer discusses leaving behind her child star image, taking on a bigger role in her creative decisions and finding a renewed connection with her fans. Larsson first became well-known in Sweden at just 10 years old, when she won Talang , the Swedish edition of Got Talent , in 2008. Four years later, she signed a record deal and began building the international pop career that would eventually bring Billboard Hot 100 hits like “Lush Life” and “Never Forget You.” Now that she’s 28, Larsson says that though her life doesn’t feel too different from those early days, the way she approaches her career has definitely changed. “My life, internally, doesn’t feel that different,” she told Allure . “But then, of course, there are a lot of new eyes on me now, especially in the U.S.” Much of the renewed attention has come during her Midnight Sun era, which notably gave the star her second-highest-charting album to date on the Billboard 200 . The album has given Larsson somewhat of her own distinct creative identity, establishing a more defined version of her artistry and pop persona. The singer says she wants her music to exist as part of something larger — a world that encompasses the songs, visuals, performances and aesthetic surrounding them. “I want to build a world, an identity, a universe, a sound, a feeling,” she said. This philosophy and sophisticated vision helped Larsson in places other than the recording studio. She says that she has become increasingly involved in the creative decisions behind her music and performances, from writing more of her own material to weighing in on stage lighting and the visual direction of her shows. This weekend, Larsson brings her show to two different All Things Go Festival stages, playing All Things Go NYC on Friday (Sept. 25) and All Things Go DC on Saturday (Sept. 26). After spending much of her career being viewed through the lens of her early success, Larsson says she wants to be recognized as an artist in her own right. “I don’t want to go into a studio or sit at a meeting and feel like I’m 16,” she said. “And I don’t think anyone who worked with me did that on purpose. They wanted to really help me, but I think it made me feel like I couldn’t trust in what I was wanting to do — or even actually enter