Zara Larsson, named Billboard's Women in Music 2026 Breakthrough honoree, described living the 'Midnight Sun' era fully. She highlighted her remix of 'Stateside' with PinkPantheress and growing fan engagement at live shows. Larsson reflected on her career since signing at age 14.
Zara Larsson expressed excitement over her recognition as the Breakthrough of the Year at Billboard Women in Music 2026. 'It feels so fun to be honored... ’cause 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,' she said in a recent interview. The award acknowledges her long journey in music, starting from when she was signed at 14 years old, and her recent successes outside her usual creative circle. The singer emphasized her immersion in the Midnight Sun era, her latest project. 'I’m living and breathing the Midnight Sun era, which is how I feel and how I want to look right now. I just embody it, and then people can join,' Larsson stated. She noted that while the album matches past releases in sales and streams, fans now connect more deeply, attending shows dressed up and creating videos to her songs. Key highlights included her collaboration with PinkPantheress on the 'Stateside' remix, which gained massive traction. Larsson also mentioned figure skater Alysa Liu performing to 'Stateside' at the Olympics as a viral moment. These elements have made the past year fulfilling, as she aims to build stronger connections with her audience through live performances and personal engagement.
