Video proof that Lorde never had an “awkward” phase. Here she is rocking out at just 12-years-old! The end of this clip features and interview with Lorde and her band. You can already tell she has star power…
Lorde was born in New Zealand in 1996, yes she really is only 17 years old. Her given name is Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor…good thing she chose her own shorter, stage name. She was discovered at a school talent show and signed to Universal at the tender age of thirteen. She released her first EP, extended play album, containing just a few songs in 2012; with the first single being “Royals.”
photo: Courtesy New England Aquarium
“Royals” helped skyrocket Lorde to the top of both New Zealand and American music charts. The hit single debuted at #1 on the New Zealand Top 40 and worked its way up to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, which made Lorde the first solo New Zealand artist to reach #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
She received four Grammy nominations for her achievements in 2013. She won a Grammy for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. Although her rise to international fame has been astonishingly fast, she has stayed true to herself and is definitely a different type of teen idol than the world has ever seen.
photo: Jason Laveris/FilmMagic
Lorde has not changed her style and has yet to get caught in all the other teen idol traps. She continues to wear her favorite type of shoe: large black oxford type shoes with giant, chunky soles. She keeps most of her skin covered with dark hued clothing and does not show off cleavage or her midriff.
She continues to write her own songs and even turned down a spot on Katy Perry’s world tour because Lorde wanted to create her own image. Her first world headlining tour sold out. Lorde has been so successful at generating her own style that MAC cosmetics will debut a line of cosmetics inspired by the young singer this June. (June 5th appears to be the official launch date.)
Finally there is a teen idol that is genuine and inspires young people to embrace who they are!
