The Knockturnal was on the scene for United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) star-studded 2016 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess. International pop sensation Zara Larsson performed at the event. We spoke with her before the concert. The 18-year old Swedish singer is best known in the states for “Never Forget You” and “Lush Life.”
Q: What does it mean to be here today?
ZL: I’m just here to have a lot of fun. I know that this show [Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day] has been really big because it has a good eye and ear for new musicians and for new artists, so I’m very honored that they picked me because all of the people who have performed here are A-Listers and superstars now. I think this is just a great event.
Q: “Never Forget You” is a big international smash. Reflect on the success of the song.
ZL: I love it. I’m so happy and excited about it because I love the song and it’s my first song that I wrote myself, and it’s really amazing to see how people react to it and that it’s been so successful; it just means a lot.
Q: Another jam I love is your track with Tinie Tempah, “Girls Like.” It’s such a great summer song. Tell me about how that collaboration came about.
ZL: Well I’ve worked with a lot of British artists now, but he thought of me because he had the song finished but he didn’t have a chorus. So he sent the whole song to me without the chorus and he was like do you want to write something to it, so we did and he loved it so we just went with it. It’s such a cool song and he’s so cool. It’s been a really great summer having that song with him; especially back in the UK and Europe.
Q: Tell me a little bit about who your inspirations were growing up.
ZL: Oh my gosh, Beyoncé; one thousand percent! But I’ve always loved Whitney Houston, who was my first idol…. And Céline Dion but Beyoncé is definitely my number one.
Q: You came into entertainment through a reality show. How was that process?
ZL: I mean it was cool and all, but I did it when I was ten and then it took me five years to actually release something. Life is a chain of events, I don’t know what would have happened if I didn’t compete in Sweden’s Got Talent, but I can definitely say that people didn’t buy my music because they recognized me from the show. You know it took me five years and from ten to fifteen, that’s a big gap and it’s a big step when you’re a teenager.
Q: There was some time to grow and develop.
ZL: Yeah, absolutely!
