Lorde
Profession: Musician
Born: November 7, 1996
Age: 29 years old
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Auckland, New Zealand
Known for: Breakthrough single “Royals” and album Melodrama
Biography
Lorde is a New Zealand singer, songwriter, and producer well known for her hit song “Royals” and her second album “Melodrama”. She quickly became recognized for her defining voice in the modern pop music, having boast of lots of amazing songs such as “Green Light”, and “Perfect Places”.
Lorde was born in Takapuna, Auckland. She was exposed to literature and writing by her mother, who is also a poet. She grew up with her siblings, two sisters and a brother and spent much of her youth reading, writing, and making music.
Lorde began singing in talent shows at a young age. Her voice was discovered by a talent agent after a school performance when she was about 12 years old, which led to eventually signing a development contract with Universal Music.
Her first major release was the The Love Club extended play in late 2012. It was self-released on SoundCloud and later picked up for commercial release. The EP included “Royals”, which became a global anthem in 2013 when Lorde was just 16. The song topped multiple charts around the world, and won her two Grammy Awards, which include Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.
She followed up with the release of her debut studio album Pure Heroine, in 2013. The album featured songs like “Tennis Court”, “Team”, and “Glory and Gore”. It also received praise for its minimalist production exploring youth culture, and identity.
She released a second album in 2017, titled “Melodrama”. The album comprises ofsongs like “Green Light”, “Perfect Places”, and “Homemade Dynamite”. She shifted her sound in 2021, with the album “Solar Power”, which favor more organic sounds, and change in tone.
Lorde released her fourth studio album in 2025, titled “Virgin”. The album was preceded by singles such as “What Was That” and “Man of the Year”. This project shows continuous artistic growth, and reinvention, while maintaining her signature poetic instincts.
Lorde is celebrated not just for her hit songs but for her artistry, which comprises of her impact in the music scene.
She dated photographer James Lowe for two years from 2013 to 2015. She was rumored to be in a relationship with Justin Warren in 2016 and in 2019, the pair were reported to be engaged.
Career Timeline
- 2012 – The Love Club (EP)
- 2013 – Pure Heroine (Studio Album)
- 2017 – Melodrama (Studio Album)
- 2021 – Solar Power (Studio Album)
- 2025 – Virgin (Studio Album)
- 2013 – Royals (Single)
- 2017 – Green Light (Single)
- 2021 – Solar Power (Single)
Personal Details
- Alternative name: Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor
- Nationality: New Zealand
- Height: 5 feet 5 inches
- Religion: Non-religious
- Parents: Mother Sonja Yelich (poet), Father Vic O’Connor (attorney)
- Siblings: Indy (younger sister), Jerry (elder sister), Angelo (younger brother)
- Official Website: Instagram – @lorde
Trivia
- Lorde’s stage name stems from her fascination with royalty and aristocracy. She added the “e” to make it more feminine.
- Her real name is Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor.
- She calls herself a cis woman.
- She holds dual citizenship of New Zealand and Croatian.
- She suffers from synesthesia, a condition where she perceives sounds as colors.
- She became the youngest artist in decades to reach No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 with “Royals”, at age 16.
- Her voice and writing were influenced by her mother’s poetry and early exposure to literature.
- Her album“Melodrama” was widely praised for its depth in production.
- She re-recorded five songs from Solar Power in the Māori language under the EP Te Ao Mārama.
- Lorde announced her Ultrasound World Tour in 2025 alongside her new album Virgin.
- She has often taken long creative breaks between albums.
- She has an estimated net worth of $18 million which comes from music streaming, publishing deals and brand partnerships.