Alessia Cara
Alessia Cara | |
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![]() Cara performing in 2018 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Alessia Caracciolo |
Born | [1] Brampton, Ontario, Canada | July 11, 1996
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 2014–present |
Labels | |
Website | alessiacara |
Alessia Caracciolo (born July 11, 1996), known professionally as Alessia Cara (/əˈlɛsiə ˈkɑːrə/[4]), is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.[5][6] After producing acoustic covers, she signed with EP Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings in 2014 and released her debut single the following year. "Here" peaked at number 19 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart and was a sleeper hit in the United States, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[7][8]
Cara's debut studio album, Know-It-All (2015), peaked at number 8 on the Canadian Albums Chart and at number 9 on the Billboard 200. The album's third single, "Scars to Your Beautiful", peaked number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016. In 2017, Cara collaborated with DJ and producer Zedd to create the single "Stay", and with rapper Logic to feature in his song "1-800-273-8255". Cara has received nominations for four Grammy Awards, including a win for Best New Artist in 2018.[9] She was nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 2019 Latin Grammys for her collaboration with Juanes on "Querer Mejor".[10] Her second studio album, The Pains of Growing (2018), saw the moderate commercial success of the singles "Growing Pains" and "Trust My Lonely".
Life and career
1996–2013: Early life
Alessia Cara is from Brampton, Ontario, where she attended Cardinal Ambrozic Catholic Secondary School.[11] Her family is from Calabria. Her father was born in Canada to Italian parents, and her mother is an Italian immigrant.[5][12] She can speak Italian.[13] As a little girl, she wrote poetry and did theatre.[14] She began playing guitar at the age of 10 and taught herself how to play various songs.[14] At the age of 13, she began her own YouTube channel where she posted covers of songs that she performed.[14] She saw Justin Bieber as a career model at the time.[15]
2014–2017: Career beginnings and Know-It-All
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Alessia_Cara_press_photo_2015.png/220px-Alessia_Cara_press_photo_2015.png)
In 2014, she flew to U.S.A and signed a management deal with EP Entertainment.[16][17][18] In April 2015, Cara released her official debut single through Def Jam.[19] Titled "Here", it was described by MTV as "a song for everyone who secretly hates parties."[17] Produced by Pop & Oak and Sebastian Kole, the song is her personal experience with going to a party and being super uncomfortable at it.[7] On May 5, 2015, the song was chosen as the "can't-miss" track by Spin,[6] as well as being listed as a "must hear song" by Cosmopolitan.[20] The song was also named one of the best Canadian songs of April by Complex[21] and included on Billboard's "20 Pop Songs You Need For Your Summer Playlist" in June 2015.[22] Rolling Stone later ranked "Here" at number 21 on its year-end list of the 50 best songs of 2015.[23] On July 29, 2015, Cara made her television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[24] "Here" then received a nomination for "Original Song" at the Streamy Awards.[25] She released the EP Four Pink Walls, containing five songs, including her debut single. Her debut album, Know-It-All, was released on November 13, 2015.[26]
From January to April 2016, Cara embarked on her first headlining tour, the "Know-It-All Tour," performing in various US and Canadian cities.[27] She was short-listed for the BBC Music Sound of... award for 2016 and finished as the runner-up.[28] Cara was awarded as Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2016 Juno Awards.[29] On March 7, 2016, Cara released a music video for "Wild Things."[30] In April 2016, Cara was announced to be one of the supporting acts of British alternative rock band Coldplay in the European and North American legs of their A Head Full of Dreams Tour, alongside British singer songwriter and Grammy winner Foxes.[31] On June 23, 2016, Cara was featured in a re-released version of the song "Wild" by Troye Sivan. The music video was released on July 22, 2016.[32] She played Glastonbury Festival on June 24, 2016, in the John Peel tent. The music video for Cara's single "How Far I'll Go", from the Disney film Moana, was released on November 3, 2016, and since then has received over 230 million views on YouTube.[33] The song was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, produced by Oak Felder, and the video was directed by Aya Tanimura.[34] On December 15, 2016, Cara released a music video for "Seventeen."[35]
Cara performed as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on February 4, 2017.[36] On April 18, 2017, the music video of the song "Stay" by Zedd featuring Cara was released. Cara featured on the song "1-800-273-8255" from Logic's Everybody album. The song was released as a single on April 28, 2017 and also features American singer-songwriter Khalid. Cara also made an appearance in the video, which was released on August 17, 2017.[37]
2018–present: The Pains of Growing and This Summer
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Alessia_Cara_performing_in_Sydney.jpg/220px-Alessia_Cara_performing_in_Sydney.jpg)
On January 28, 2018, Cara was named the Best New Artist at the 2018 Grammy Awards, making her the first Canadian artist to win this award.[38] On June 1, 2018, Cara released a teaser video following a week of cryptic Twitter posts.[39] On June 9, she posted lyrics to a new song on her social media accounts for fans to piece together. Once completed, she announced the single's cover and name on June 11.[40] The single, entitled "Growing Pains", was released on June 15, 2018.[41] Its music video was released on June 20, 2018,[42] and was nominated for Best Cinematography at the 2018 MTV VMAS.
In 2018, Cara covered the Elton John song "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues" on his tribute album Revamp.
On July 10, 2018, Cara announced that she would be releasing a song she made in her basement, written and produced by her, the next day, as a small gift for her birthday. The single, titled "A Little More", was released on July 11, 2018, with the music video also released the same day.[43][44][45][46] On September 29, 2018, the Canadian Football League announced that Cara would be the halftime performer at the 106th Grey Cup.[47] In October 2018, she collaborated with Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti for the song "Vale per sempre", from the album Vita ce n'è.[48] On October 5, 2018, Cara released another song, entitled "Trust My Lonely". A music video for the song was released the same day.[49][50] On November 8, 2018, a music video for the song "Babies" by Kyle featuring Cara was released.[51] On November 13, 2018, Cara released another song, entitled "Not Today."[52] The release date coincides with the three-year anniversary of the release of her debut album. Cara's second studio album, The Pains of Growing, was released on November 30, 2018.[53] It debuted at number 1 on the US iTunes Pop Charts, in less than two hours after its release. Despite the successful position on iTunes, the album debuted at number 71 on the Billboard 200; 62 positions lower than her debut album in 2015.[54] "Out of Love" was eventually serviced to contemporary hit radio as the album's third single in January 2019.[55] Cara also collaborated with Alec Benjamin on "Let Me Down Slowly", which was released on January 7, 2019. On February 21, Cara announced she would join Shawn Mendes as the opening act on his self-titled world tour for the European, United Kingdom, and United States legs.[56][57] In May, she headlined "The Pains of Growing Tour," visiting Canadian cities in the month of May.[58]
In July 2019, Cara announced the release of an EP, This Summer, with tracks to be issued "every couple of weeks" leading up to its release on September 6, 2019.[59] She also announced that she will be adding a new leg of "The Pains of Growing Tour," visiting various US cities in October and November.[60][61] The first single of the EP, "Ready", was released on July 22.[62][63] The second single, "Rooting for You", was released on August 9.[64] The third single, "OKAY OKAY", was released on August 23.[65] The fourth single, "October", was released on September 3.[66][67] The music video for "October" was released on October 1, 2019.[68]
She featured Bastille in their song "Another Place" with a music video released on November 1. The song peaked the number 18 at Billboard Hot Rock Songs.
On November 7, Cara released her first christmas song, Make It To Christmas, wich peaked at number 1 at Billboard Canadian AC. The song was Cara's last song of the decade.
On April 3, 2020, Cara released "I Choose," her original song for the movie The Willoughbys.
On July 17, Cara released an EP, This Summer: Live Off The Floor, which features live, reimagined performances of the songs off of This Summer, as well as three bonus tracks and an intro that interpolates Summertime by George Gershwin. All of Cara's proceeds from the EP for the next 21 years are going to Save The Children[69].
Personal life
Cara was in a relationship with singer Kevin Garrett from 2016 to 2018.
Cara has a dog named Cleo[70].
Cara has revealed on separate occasions that she experiences synesthesia;[71][72] and also has keratosis pilaris[73] and alopecia areata.[74][75]
Artistry
Cara is a pop,[76][77][78] R&B,[76][77] alternative R&B,[79] indie pop[77] and soul[78] singer.
Her influences include Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Pink, Fergie,[80] Drake and Ed Sheeran.[81]
Discography
- Know-It-All (2015)
- The Pains of Growing (2018)
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | The Willoughbys | Jane Willoughby | Voice role |
Awards and nominations
In 2018, Cara became the first Canadian artist to ever win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She has also received nominations at the American Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards, and won an iHeartRadio Music Award, five Juno Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and an MTV Europe Music Award.
References
- ^ Van Evra, Jennifer (January 29, 2018). "12 things you need to know about Alessia Cara, Canada's first-ever best new artist Grammy winner". CBC Radio. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (May 19, 2015). "Alessia Cara Speaks Up for the Outsiders on 'Here'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
- ^ "Universal Music Canada Relocating To 'Rock Star Building' in Downtown Toronto". Billboard.com. April 19, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- ^ "11 Celeb Names You're Totally Pronouncing Wrong". Seventeen. July 31, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ a b Thurmond, Alexandra (May 2015). "Sound Scout: Alessia Cara is the 18-year-old Singer-Songwriter We Cant Get Enough Of". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
- ^ a b "SPIN Singles Mix: Titus Andronicus, Vince Staples, Miguel, and More". SPIN Magazine. May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ a b Zeichner, Naomi (April 27, 2015). "Every Introvert Needs To See This Song". The Fader. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ Lewis, Brittany (April 28, 2015). "Alessia "Here" (New Music)". Global Grind. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ "Grammys 2018: Alessia Cara Wins Best New Artist". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ "20a Entrega Anual del Latin GRAMMY". Latin GRAMMYs (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2020.
- ^ "Alessia Cara Review". The Imprint. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ^ Nostro, Lauren (July 10, 2015). "Alessia Cara Interview". Ca.complex.com. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- ^ "BBC Sound of 2016: Alessia Cara interview". BBC News. January 7, 2016.
- ^ a b c Tolentino, Jia (May 2015). "Meet Alessia Cara, Alt-Pop's New Sweetheart". The Fader. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
- ^ Press, David Friend, The Canadian. "Q&A: Canadian singer Alessia Cara talks Taylor Swift, wanting to be Justin Bieber". www.theprovince.com. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Drake Co-Signed Singer Alessia Cara on Her Rising Fame: 'It's the Coolest Fluke Ever'". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
- ^ a b Linder, Emilee (April 27, 2015). "This New Song Is For Everyone Who Secretly Hates Parties". MTV. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ Carvell, Josh (May 5, 2015). "Fresher Sounds". The National Student. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ "New Songs: Alessia Cara - Here". Cut from Steel. May 4, 2015. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ Thompson, Eliza (May 1, 2015). "The 8 Songs You Need to Hear This Week". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ Zorgel, Aaron (April 30, 2015). "Northern Touch: The Best Canadian Songs of April". Complex. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (June 11, 2015). "20 Pop Songs You Need For Your Summer Playlist". Billboard.com.
- ^ "50 Best Songs of 2015". Billboard.com.
- ^ Unterberger, Andrew (July 30, 2015). "Alessia Cara Makes TV Debut Playing 'Here' With the Roots on 'Fallon". Spin. SpinMedia. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
- ^ "5th Annual Nominees". Streamy Awards. August 12, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
- ^ Ward, Kat Alessia Cara: The Budding Pop Star Who's Making Introversion Cool Paper Magazine. September 9, 2015
- ^ "Alessia Cara announces North American tour". November 16, 2015.
- ^ "Jack Garratt tops BBC Sound of 2016 list". January 8, 2016.
- ^ "Nominees | The JUNO Awards". The JUNO Awards. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- ^ "Watch Alessia Cara's Youthful, Celebratory 'Wild Things' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- ^ Yoo, Noah (April 8, 2016). "Coldplay Expand U.S. Tour, Alessia Cara to Join". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
- ^ TroyeSivanVEVO (July 22, 2016), Troye Sivan - WILD (Official Video) ft. Alessia Cara, retrieved November 14, 2018
- ^ Brittany Spanos, "Watch Alessia Cara's Gorgeous, Beach-Set 'How Far I'll Go' Video," Rolling Stone, November 3, 2016.
- ^ Ashley Lee, "'Moana': Alessia Cara Sings Lin-Manuel Miranda's Anthem 'How Far I'll Go' in New Music Video", Billboard, November 3, 2016.
- ^ "Alessia Cara Grows Up in New 'Seventeen' Video: Watch". December 15, 2016. Archived from the original on December 16, 2016.
- ^ Tarnoff, Brooke. "Watch How Far Alessia Cara Did Go on 'Saturday Night Live'". Billboard.com. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
- ^ LogicVEVO (August 17, 2017), Logic - 1-800-273-8255 ft. Alessia Cara, Khalid, retrieved November 14, 2018
- ^ "Grammys 2018: Alessia Cara Wins Best New Artist". Pitchfork.com.
- ^ "ac on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- ^ "Alessia Cara Teases New Single "Growing Pains" with Lyric Guessing Game". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- ^ "Alessia Cara Announces 'Growing Pains,' First Song Off Her Sophomore Album". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- ^ "Alessia Cara Drops Dystopian 'Growing Pains' Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
- ^ Thompson, Rita (July 10, 2018). "Alessia Cara Announces New Song 'A Little More,' to Be Released on Her Birthday". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
- ^ Bargiela, Sara (July 12, 2018). "Alessia Cara reveals new video for A Little More". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
- ^ "ALESSIA CARA on Instagram: "I made a song in my basement and thought I'd release it tomorrow as a small gift for my birthday. "a little more"—written & produced by me...."". Instagram.com. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
- ^ "Alessia Cara- A Little More (Official Video)". July 11, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
- ^ "Alessia Cara to headline 2018 Grey Cup halftime show". CBC News. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
- ^ "Eros Ramazzotti, ecco il video di 'Vita ce n'è'" (in Italian). Radio 105. October 19, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
- ^ Dresdale, Andrea (September 28, 2018). "Alessia Cara announces new song, "Trust My Lonely," via bizarre Instagram video". ABC News Radio. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
- ^ Glicksman, Josh (October 8, 2018). "Alessia Cara Drops Colorful Video for 'Trust My Lonely': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
- ^ SuperDuperKyle (November 8, 2018), KYLE - Babies feat. Alessia Cara [Official Music Video], retrieved November 14, 2018
- ^ AlessiaCaraVEVO (November 13, 2018), Alessia Cara - Not Today (Lyric Video), retrieved November 14, 2018
- ^ Arcand, Rob (October 26, 2018). "Alessia Cara Unveils The Pains of Growing Album Art, Tracklist". Spin. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ "Alessia Cara World on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
- ^ "Alessia Cara on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
- ^ "Shawn Mendes on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
- ^ "Alessia Cara Announces 'The Pains of Growing' 2019 Canadian Tour!". Kiss925.com. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- ^ "ALESSIA CARA SURPRISES FANS WITH NEW SONG "READY" OFF FORTHCOMING EP, THIS SUMMER, OUT SEPTEMBER 6", Umusic, July 22, 2019, retrieved July 31, 2019
- ^ "Alessia Cara announces fall 2019 tour and new EP, 'This Summer'".
- ^ "Alessia Cara releases new single "Ready," announces fall tour dates - Music News - ABC News Radio". Abcnewsradioonline.com. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- ^ @alessiacara (July 18, 2019). "caught the writing bug out of the blue and made an EP. it's called This Summer. I'll be releasing a new track every couple of weeks until its release. the first song, Ready, will be out July 22nd" (Tweet). Retrieved July 19, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (July 18, 2019), "Alessia Cara Announces New 'This Summer' EP & First Single 'Ready'", Billboard, retrieved July 19, 2019
- ^ ac (August 7, 2019). "Rooting For You. This Friday.pic.twitter.com/cLGVbr7MML". Twitter.com. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "ALESSIA CARA on Instagram: "OKAY OKAY. this Friday."". Retrieved August 29, 2019 – via Instagram.
- ^ Alston, Trey. "Alessia Cara Says Goodbye To An Unforgettable Tour On 'October'". MTV News.
- ^ "Alessia Cara releases new song 'October' from upcoming EP". Upi.com. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ "ALESSIA CARA on Instagram: "THIS SUMMER: LIVE OFF THE FLOOR, OUT JULY 17TH. I'm donating all my proceeds for the next 21 years directly to @savethechildren &…"". Instagram. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "ALESSIA CARA on Instagram: "meet Cleo🤎"". Instagram. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ Umusic (September 20, 2017), Alessia Cara Discusses Having Synesthesia | UMUSIC 5, retrieved July 3, 2019
- ^ AlessiaCaraVEVO (December 1, 2015), Alessia Cara - Painting, retrieved July 3, 2019
- ^ "I actually have keratosis pilaris (skin condition). used to be on my face but now it's only on parts of my body so there's a fun fact you didn't ask for". Twitter.com. October 14, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ "alopecia kicked in it's more now!". Twitter.com. September 12, 2019.
- ^ "genetic hairloss. had it since I was like 14 but mine comes in better / worse waves! I'm lucky I got the frizz lol". Twitter.com. September 12, 2019.
- ^ a b Kellman, Andrew. Alessia Cara | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links. Allmusic. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- ^ a b c Miceli, Brien (October 6, 2015). 10 New Indie Pop Artists You Should Know. Odyssey. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- ^ a b Adams, Gregory (October 27, 2015). Alessia Cara "Wild Things". Retrieved January 28, 2018.
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:|work=
ignored (help) - ^ Zorgel, Aaron (June 11, 2015). Bestival Cheat Sheet: Hometown Heroes. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ^ Tardio, Andres (September 27, 2016). Alessia Cara's Empowering Journey: Lessons from Coldplay, Lauryn Hill, & Life. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ^ Sound of BBC: 2nd Alessia Cara. BBC. July 16, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
External links
- Official website
- Def Jam Recordings profile for Alessia Cara
- Alessia Cara on the Internet Movie Database
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Alessia Cara
- 1996 births
- 21st-century Canadian singers
- Canadian people of Italian descent
- Canadian child singers
- Canadian female pop singers
- Canadian female singer-songwriters
- Canadian people of Calabrian descent
- Canadian contemporary R&B singers
- Canadian indie pop musicians
- Canadian soul singers
- Def Jam Recordings artists
- Grammy Award winners
- Juno Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year winners
- Living people
- Musicians from Brampton
- 21st-century Canadian women singers
- 21st-century multi-instrumentalists
- Juno Award for Pop Album of the Year winners
- People with synesthesia
- Juno Award for Album of the Year winners