Zara Larsson's Swedish upbringing "shaped [her] ear for melody".

The 28-year-old singer has enjoyed a hugely successful pop career, and Zara thinks her Swedish upbringing has been a big part of her success in the music business.

The blonde beauty told Vogue Singapore: "Sweden has such a strong pop tradition, and I think growing up there definitely shaped my ear for melody.

"Swedish pop can be very clean, very direct, very emotional without being too complicated. But I also always looked outward. I wanted the big global sound. So I think my music has that Swedish melodic foundation, but with this very ambitious pop-girl energy."

Zara also recalled being inspired by the likes of Beyonce and Carola Haggkvist during her younger years.

The chart-topping singer said: "As a child, I was determined, obsessed with Lego and dancing in my room, dreaming about being special and listening to Beyonce mostly.

"I listened a lot to Carola as well, a Swedish royalty on the music scene.

"For as long as I can remember, I would pretend I was on stage in a huge arena. I think certain people are just born to entertain, it's just something that's in them from birth. I'm definitely one of those people."

Zara enjoyed a great start to her pop career before going through a prolonged lull in her fortunes. The singer is currently riding the crest of a wave, but she's learned some important lessons from her previous setbacks.

Recalling people writing her off as a pop star, Zara said: "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."

Meanwhile, Zara recently expressed her frustration at fans for pitting her against Tate McRae after she supported the 22-year-old hitmaker on her Miss Possessive Tour in 2025.

She told the Call Her Daddy podcast: "I think it's just the nature of how people speak about girls in pop.

"We are similar in the sense that we both dance, although she's a way better dancer. And I do pop, she does pop.

"I think it's easier to root for someone who's an underdog, you know?"