Zara Larsson on Billboard Women in Music Breakthrough Award and Midnight Sun Era

Zara Larsson reflects on her artistic journey and the cultural impact of her 2025 album Midnight Sun following her recognition as the Breakthrough honoree at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 awards.

The Swedish pop star, who was signed to a record label at the age of 14, discussed how her collaboration with PinkPantheress on the remix of “Stateside” became a defining moment in her recent career. The track gained widespread attention not only for its streaming performance but also for its unexpected crossover into figure skating, when Olympic athlete Alysa Liu used it as her music during a competition.

Larsson described the Midnight Sun era as a lived-in aesthetic and emotional state, one she aims to share with her audience through immersive live performances and fan engagement. “I’m living and breathing the Midnight Sun era, which is how I feel and how I want to look right now,” she said. “I just embody it, and then people can join.”

She emphasized that while the album’s chart performance matched her previous releases, the level of audience interaction has evolved significantly. Fans are not only streaming the music but attending concerts, creating videos, and dressing up for shows—elements she finds deeply fulfilling as an artist focused on connection. “I finally am playing so much live, so seeing, like, real people coming to my shows in the venues and they dress up, or they make videos to my songs,” Larsson noted.

The recognition from Billboard Women in Music, she said, validated years of work that had previously existed mainly within her personal and professional circle. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, but I feel like this year has really been an incredible year for me personally and in my career. To see that that’s being recognized from outside of my little bubble of where I work is so amazing.”

Looking back on her early start in the industry, Larsson offered advice to her younger self, though she did not disclose the specifics of that counsel during the interview. She highlighted the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision while remaining open to collaboration and evolution.

The Midnight Sun project continues to serve as a creative anchor for Larsson, blending pop sensibilities with visual and performative elements that extend beyond traditional music releases. Her ability to foster community around her work—through live experiences and fan-generated content—has become a central part of her current artistic identity.