From a reality television star to a Grammy-nominated artist, Zara Larsson has been captivating fans since 2008. The 28-year-old Swedish singer and songwriter has risen to international prominence for her upbeat music and energetic performances, building a devoted global fanbase through the influence of social media.
Larsson has released five albums, blending pop music with R&B influences. She got her start on Talang, Sweden’s version of the Got Talent franchise, winning the competition at the age of ten. Larsson signed with TEN Music Group just four years later, releasing her debut EP Introducing, which topped charts in Sweden and Norway. Global fame followed in 2015 with the release of her singles “Lush Life” and “Never Forget You”, marking the beginning of her international career.
Though several of her songs remained popular – “Symphony”, “Lush Life” and “Never Forget You” were well recognized – Larsson never reached immense fame. Her songs were known, but the woman behind them was largely invisible until 2024, when a meme featuring her music went viral on TikTok.
“Symphony”, Larsson’s 2017 song with Clean Bandit, quickly gained traction. Paired with a background of colorful, flying dolphins, social media users contrasted the cheerful visuals with sarcastic or depressing messages written on top, creating a meme that quickly spread across the internet. According to Rolling Stone, the trend led to “Symphony” being used in over 2.2 million videos on TikTok, bringing it to Number One on the Billboard TikTok Chart.
TikTok reminded users of Larsson’s music and introduced it to younger generations who were too young to witness her original prominence. The meme highlighted the power of social media as a tool for marketing, and Larsson worked to capitalize on her renewed relevance.
Building off the viral dolphin videos, Larsson began incorporating them into her live performances, adding dolphin visuals to her set for the song “Symphony.” She also transitioned to wearing seaside-themed outfits, featuring colorful two-piece sets and 2000s-themed glamor. “Trying to think of ways to milk this dolphin trend so I can sell out my US tour,” Larsson posted on TikTok.
One year later, Larsson went viral on TikTok again, this time with a dance to her song “Lush Life.” The trend began in November 2025 during her Midnight Sun Tour stop in Amsterdam, when she brought fan Julia Sophia Coster on stage to perform the original choreography with the background dancers. Clips of Julia spread rapidly, sparking a dance challenge on TikTok and creating a new tradition for Larsson’s tour: inviting a fan onstage to dance to the last chorus of the song and spray-paint their shirt.
Just as “Symphony” did with the dolphin meme, “Lush Life” re-entered global charts and hit over 1.9 billion streams on Spotify. Stemming from her renewed attention, Larsson was nominated for the 2026 Grammy Awards in the Best Dance Pop Recording Category.
Larsson will continue her Midnight Sun Tour throughout the beginning of 2026, starting the American leg in February and traveling until April. In an age of social media, Larsson has shown that a moment online can turn into a career, one that she is still building.
