Alessia Cara

Early life and career beginnings

Alessia Caracciolo was born on July 11, 1996, in Mississauga, Ontario, and grew up in Brampton where she attended Cardinal Ambrozic Catholic Secondary School. Her family is of Italian descent from Calabria, with her mother being an Italian immigrant and her father born in Canada to Italian parents, granting Cara dual Canadian and Italian citizenship. From a young age, she wrote poetry, performed in theatre, and began playing guitar at age 10, later teaching herself various songs. At 13, she started a YouTube channel to post cover performances, citing Justin Bieber as an early career model. Her fluency in Italian and early creative pursuits laid the groundwork for her musical career, which formally began in July 2014 when she signed a management deal with EP Entertainment in New York.

Breakthrough with Know-It-All and initial success

Cara's professional debut came in April 2015 with the release of her single "Here" through Def Jam Recordings. The song, produced by Pop & Oak and Sebastian Kole, was an anti-party anthem based on her personal discomfort at social gatherings and quickly garnered critical acclaim. Publications like Spin, Cosmopolitan, and Rolling Stone praised the track, with the latter ranking it number 21 on its list of the 50 best songs of 2015. She made her television debut performing the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on July 29, 2015. Her debut EP, Four Pink Walls, was released shortly after, leading to her first full-length album, Know-It-All, on November 13, 2015. The album peaked at number eight on the Canadian Albums Chart and number nine on the US Billboard 200, establishing her as a significant new voice in pop music.

From January to April 2016, Cara began her first headlining concert series, the Know-It-All Tour, across the United States and Canada. That same year, she was named the runner-up for the BBC Music Sound of... award and won the Juno Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Her career momentum continued with high-profile collaborations and performances, including supporting Coldplay on their A Head Full of Dreams Tour in Europe and North America. In 2016, she also released a popular cover of "How Far I'll Go" from Disney's Moana, which amassed over 270 million views on YouTube. The following year, she performed as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live and featured on two major hits: Zedd's "Stay," which is certified seven-times platinum in Canada, and Logic's "1-800-273-8255" featuring Khalid.

Grammy win and The Pains of Growing

On January 28, 2018, Alessia Cara won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, becoming the first Canadian artist to ever receive the award. The win was met with some controversy, leading to hateful messages and death threats from fans of other nominees, which prompted Cara to briefly deactivate her social media accounts. Later that year, she began releasing singles from her second studio album, starting with "Growing Pains" in June, followed by "Trust My Lonely" in October. The album, The Pains of Growing, was released on November 30, 2018, and debuted at number one on the US iTunes Pop Charts within two hours, though it entered the Billboard 200 at number 71. The album's themes of introspection and maturity were well received, and it went on to win the Juno Award for Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year in 2019, with Cara also winning the Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year.

In 2019, Cara released the EP This Summer, featuring tracks like "Ready" and "Rooting for You," and later a live version of the EP titled This Summer: Live Off The Floor in July 2020. She also joined Shawn Mendes as an opening act on his world tour and headlined her own The Pains of Growing Tour across Canada and the United States. Her collaborations during this period included a song with Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti, "Vale per sempre," and a feature on Alec Benjamin's "Let Me Down Slowly." In 2020, she collaborated with Lauv on the song "Canada" and made her voice acting debut singing "I Choose" for the Netflix animated film The Willoughbys.

Recent work: In the Meantime and Love & Hyperbole

Cara's third studio album, In the Meantime, was released on September 24, 2021, preceded by the dual lead singles "Sweet Dream" and "Shapeshifter." The album was met with generally positive reviews from critics who praised its introspective and vulnerable lyricism. In the lead-up to the album, she contributed songs to other projects, including "The Use In Trying" for PAW Patrol: The Movie and "Feel You Now" for the series Blade Runner: Black Lotus. She also collaborated with Mexican rock band The Warning on a cover of "Enter Sandman" for the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist. In 2023, she participated in an all-star charity recording of Serena Ryder's "What I Wouldn't Do" to benefit Kids Help Phone.

Work on her fourth album began in late 2021, with the lead single "Dead Man" released on July 19, 2024. The album, Love & Hyperbole, was released on February 14, 2025, to positive reviews and spawned the single "Fire," which charted at number 30 on the US Billboard Adult Pop Airplay chart. Cara started her Love & Hyperbole Tour in April 2025. Later that year, she announced a deluxe edition of the album for October 24, 2025, featuring new songs and remixes with artists like Julia Michaels. She also performed the Canadian national anthem at Game 2 of the 2025 World Series and joined the Jonas Brothers as a surprise guest on their tour.

Artistry and public persona

Alessia Cara's music spans pop, R&B, alternative R&B, indie pop, and soul. Her artistic influences are diverse, including Lauryn Hill, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Alanis Morissette, Alicia Keys, and contemporary artists like Drake and Taylor Swift. She is known for her confessional and relatable songwriting, often addressing themes of social anxiety, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Cara has been open about her personal life, including her experiences with synesthesia, the skin condition keratosis pilaris, alopecia areata, and her struggles with mental health and insomnia. She resides in Toronto and maintains a connection to her Italian heritage, often incorporating her bilingual abilities into her work and public appearances.

Awards and honours

Throughout her career, Alessia Cara has received numerous accolades that highlight her impact on the music industry. Her most notable achievement is winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2018. At the Juno Awards, Canada's premier music honours, she has won five awards, including Breakthrough Artist of the Year (2016), Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year for The Pains of Growing (2019), and Songwriter of the Year (2019). She has also received two MTV Video Music Awards and an MTV Europe Music Award. In January 2026, she was inducted into the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame, recognizing her contributions to her hometown.

• Grammy Award for Best New Artist (2018)
• Juno Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year (2016)
• Juno Award for Album of the Year (2019, for The Pains of Growing)
• Juno Award for Pop Album of the Year (2019, for The Pains of Growing)
• Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year (2019)
• MTV Video Music Award nominations, including for Best Cinematography (2018)
• Induction into the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame (2026)

Discography and chart performance

Alessia Cara has released four studio albums, each marking a distinct phase in her artistic development. Her debut, Know-It-All (2015), achieved commercial success with singles like "Here" and "Scars to Your Beautiful," the latter peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. Her second album, The Pains of Growing (2018), debuted strongly on digital platforms and earned major Juno Awards. In the Meantime (2021) continued her trend of introspective work, while her most recent album, Love & Hyperbole (2025), has been met with positive critical and listener reception. The following table outlines her studio albums and their peak chart positions in Canada and the United States.

Beyond her albums, Cara has released several successful singles and EPs. Her collaboration with Zedd on "Stay" achieved seven-times platinum certification in Canada. Her feature on Logic's "1-800-273-8255" reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2025, the single "Fire" from Love & Hyperbole charted on the US Adult Pop Airplay chart. She has also released live albums, including This Summer: Live Off The Floor (2020) and Love or Lack Thereof (2026), the latter featuring collaborations with Nelly Furtado and Norah Jones.

Recent projects and public engagements (2025 to 2026)

In the period from 2025 to 2026, Alessia Cara remained highly active with new projects and public appearances. In November 2025, she was announced as a participant in Perfect Perfect, a program led by producer Boi-1da to create an album themed around the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set for release in summer 2026. That December, she performed with Bryan Adams in a holiday television special, Bryan Adams and Friends: A Great Big Holiday Jam, which also spawned a live album. In February 2026, she assisted CBC's coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics by narrating the feature The Gold Within: Family & Fire and starred in a Super Bowl LX commercial for Pepsi across Canada, for which she recorded a version of "Joy of Cola."

March 2026 saw the release of her second live album, Love or Lack Thereof, and a performance of Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like a Bird" at the Juno Awards of 2026 as part of a tribute to Furtado. In May 2026, she was announced as a performer at Toronto's FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, where she performed "Wild Things" and "Fire." The following month, she launched Giant Desk, a parody of NPR's Tiny Desk concert series, which gained media attention for its creative format and where she debuted a new verse to her classic song "Here." These activities demonstrate her ongoing relevance and versatility as a performer and cultural figure in Canada and internationally.

Questions about Alessia Cara

How did Alessia Cara get discovered?

Alessia Cara was discovered after she began posting acoustic cover songs on her personal YouTube channel at the age of 13. Her online performances caught the attention of music industry professionals, leading to a management deal with EP Entertainment in July 2014, which she signed while on a trip to New York with her father. This deal quickly led to a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings, setting the stage for the release of her debut single "Here" in April 2015. Her YouTube covers, including songs like "Love Yourself" and "Sweater Weather," were instrumental in building her initial fanbase and displaying her talent to labels.

What awards has Alessia Cara won?

Alessia Cara has won several prestigious awards throughout her career. Her most significant win is the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2018, making her the first Canadian artist to ever receive that honour. She has also won five Juno Awards, including Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2016, and both Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year for The Pains of Growing in 2019. She has received awards such as an iHeartRadio Music Award, two MTV Video Music Awards, and an MTV Europe Music Award. In 2026, she was inducted into the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame.

What is Alessia Cara's biggest hit song?

Alessia Cara's biggest hit songs include her debut single "Here," which peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and number 19 on the Canadian Hot 100. Another major hit is "Scars to Your Beautiful" from her debut album, which reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016. Her collaboration with Zedd on the single "Stay" was also a massive success, achieving seven-times platinum certification in Canada. Also, her feature on Logic's "1-800-273-8255" with Khalid peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying her presence on the charts.

Where is Alessia Cara from in Canada?

Alessia Cara was born in Mississauga, Ontario, on July 11, 1996. She grew up in the nearby city of Brampton, Ontario, where she attended Cardinal Ambrozic Catholic Secondary School. Her family is of Italian descent, with roots in the Calabria region, and she holds dual Canadian and Italian citizenship. She has often referenced her upbringing in the Greater Toronto Area in her music and public statements. As of recent years, she resides in Toronto, Canada, maintaining a strong connection to her Ontario roots.

What is Alessia Cara's newest album?

Alessia Cara's newest album is Love & Hyperbole, which was released on February 14, 2025. The album was preceded by the lead single "Dead Man," released on July 19, 2024, and spawned a second single, "Fire," which charted on the US Billboard Adult Pop Airplay chart. The album received positive reviews from both critics and listeners. In October 2025, Cara announced a deluxe edition of the album set for release on October 24, 2025, which includes three previously unreleased songs and remixes featuring artists like Julia Michaels, Lucky Daye, and Tiny Habits.

Has Alessia Cara done any acting or voice work?

Yes, Alessia Cara has ventured into voice acting and film contributions. She made her voice acting debut in the 2020 Netflix animated film The Willoughbys, voicing the character Jane Willoughby and performing the original song "I Choose. She has also contributed songs to other film and television projects, such as "The Use In Trying" for PAW Patrol: The Movie in 2021 and "Feel You Now" for the series Blade Runner: Black Lotus. In 2021, she starred in the Amazon Prime Video special Yearly Departed. Also, in 2026, she narrated The Gold Within: Family & Fire for CBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics.

Sources and further reading

• Alessia Cara (Wikipedia)
• Alessia Cara (canadaswalkoffame.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-31.