Zara Larsson has opened up about her so-called 'flop era' in a revealing interview with Vogue Singapore, reflecting on a quiet period in her career after achieving massive success. The 28-year-old Swedish singer posed for a striking photo shoot, wearing daring outfits including a mesh top with black squares and a Louis Vuitton swimsuit, alongside a gem-encrusted silver bra and pearl jewelry.
A Decade of Proving Her Worth
After a decade of striving to prove her place in the music industry, Zara has reclaimed her stardom with a dramatic transformation and a loyal fanbase. She faced career setbacks and criticism over feuds with Taylor Swift and Chris Brown, as well as controversy surrounding her comments on abortion.
Reflecting on her time out of the spotlight, she told Vogue Singapore: 'It taught me that you can't let strangers define your timeline. Pop is brutal because everyone wants to declare something over so quickly. But careers are long if you keep showing up. I had to learn that a quiet season doesn't mean failure. It can be a rebuilding season, a learning season, a becoming season.'
From Viral Hits to Resilience
While some know Zara for her viral hit 'Midnight Sun,' others remember her 2016 summer when 'Lush Life' and 'Never Forget You' propelled her to fame. Despite that success, she endured criticism and controversy. Now, she is unfazed by her 'flop era,' using it as a source of resilience rather than shame. 'I've already had success and then my flop era. So, it doesn't scare me anymore,' she said.
In an interview with ABC News, she added: 'Looking back, I felt like I didn't know what I wanted to do. The project didn't start from inside me. I kept looking outside—what do people want me to do? It's discouraging when you're being ignored, but my love for singing and music goes deep into my DNA.'
Controversy and Lost Deals
Zara's outspoken nature often lands her in controversy. Earlier this year, she revealed losing a $3 million brand deal after making a joke about abortion on TikTok. A fan's video overlay read: 'I didn't know I was pregnant here but at least my baby got to hear "Midnight Sun" before I aborted it.' Zara replied: 'I killed the performance and then you killed it after the performance purrrrrr.'
Addressing the backlash, she said: 'The abortion joke is very funny, by the way. I lost a $3 million deal. If you don't agree with women having access to abortion or joking about it, then we're not meant to be partners. I don't care about the hate—I'm sure in my stance.'
Political Rants and Support for Immigrants
Zara has also slammed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a social media rant, declaring her love for immigrants, trans people, socialists, and even criminals. She wrote: 'I'd rather have someone smoking crack on my couch than a f***ing ICE agent. They're criminals too.' She explained her support for criminals stems from her boyfriend, Swedish dancer Lamin Holmén, who cannot visit the US due to a cannabis-related criminal record. 'We spend months apart because of a little spliff over six years ago,' she said, adding that 'the billionaire leaders are drooling at the sight of society being this divided.'
Zara's ethos as an artist is to achieve longevity and leave a mark on pop history, embracing her outspoken demeanor and passion for discussing politics and social issues.
