Alessia Cara

Alessia Cara (born Alessia Caracciolo on July 11, 1996) is a Canadian‑Italian singer‑songwriter celebrated for her introspective pop and R&B sound. Growing up in Mississauga and Brampton, Ontario, she began writing poetry, performing theatre, and learning guitar at age ten, later launching a YouTube channel at thirteen where acoustic covers of hits like “Love Yourself” and “Sweater Weather” showcased her soulful voice. In 2014 she signed with EP Entertainment and Def Jam, and the following year released her breakout single “Here,” a candid anthem about feeling out of place at parties that climbed to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned critical plaudits. Her debut album Know‑It‑All (2015) produced the worldwide hit “Scars to Your Beautiful,” cementing her reputation for empowering lyrics and earning her a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, which she won in 2018—making her the first Canadian ever to receive that honor. Subsequent collaborations with Zedd (“Stay”), Logic (“1‑800‑273‑8255”), and Khalid expanded her crossover appeal, while her sophomore effort The Pains of Growing (2018) explored themes of maturity and self‑acceptance and garnered multiple Juno Awards, including Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Her third record In the Meantime (2021) received praise for its vulnerable storytelling, and she continued to experiment with sound and visual media, contributing to film soundtracks such as The Willoughbys and PAW Patrol: The Movie. In February 2025 she released Love & Hyperbole, a project that blends pop sensibility with indie‑experimental textures, confirming her evolution from teenage prodigy to seasoned artist. Throughout her career Cara has been open about her synesthetic perception of music, mental‑health challenges, and advocacy work, using her platform to support youth mental‑health initiatives and charitable causes while maintaining a devoted global fanbase.