Carly Rae Jepsen

Early life and education

Carly Rae Jepsen was born on November 21, 1985, in Mission, British Columbia, to teachers Alexandra and Larry Jepsen. She is the middle child of three, with an older brother named Colin and a younger sister named Katie, and is of Danish, English, and Scottish descent. During her time at Heritage Park Secondary School, Jepsen developed a deep passion for musical theatre, performing leading roles in student productions of Annie where she played the title role, Grease where she played Sandy Olsson, and The Wiz where she played Dorothy Gale. After considering a career in music instruction, she applied to music programs at Capilano University and the University of British Columbia but instead followed her drama teacher's advice to audition for the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Oak Bay. She was one of 25 female students admitted into its year-long program in 2004, which she completed before moving to Vancouver's west side. Following her studies, she worked various jobs including as a barista, assistant pastry chef, and bartender, while writing songs in her spare time and living on a pull-out sofa, a period that honed her songwriting skills before her professional break.

Career beginnings: Canadian Idol and Tug of War

Jepsen's professional career was launched in 2007 when she was convinced by her high school drama teacher to audition for the fifth season of Canadian Idol, performing her original song "Sweet Talker." She ultimately finished in third place, a result she later viewed as the best possible outcome. Her demo recording from the show attracted music manager Jonathan Simkin, who signed her to a management deal with 604 Records that same year. In June 2008, she released her first promotional single, a cover of John Denver's "Sunshine on My Shoulders." Her debut studio album, Tug of War, a folk-influenced collection inspired by artists like Leonard Cohen and James Taylor, was released in September 2008 and sold 10,000 copies in Canada. The album produced several singles that charted within the top 40 of the Canadian Hot 100, establishing her initial commercial footprint.

• "Tug of War" and "Bucket" each achieved Gold certification in Canada for sales of 40,000 units.
• The final single, "Sour Candy," was a duet with Josh Ramsay of the band Marianas Trench.
• In 2009, she toured western Canada as a supporting act for Marianas Trench and Shiloh.
• During this period, she held jobs as a barista and bartender while writing songs on her pull-out sofa.

This early period established Jepsen as a promising new voice in the Canadian music scene. Her debut studio album, Tug of War, was released in September 2008 and sold 10,000 copies in Canada. The album's folk-influenced sound reflected her parents' interest in folk music and her own theatrical training. In 2009, Jepsen toured western Canada with Marianas Trench and Shiloh, which provided valuable stage experience. Her singles from this period peaked in the top 40 of the Canadian Hot 100.

Breakthrough with Kiss and "Call Me Maybe"

The summer of 2011 marked a major shift in Jepsen's career as she began recording material for her second album with collaborators including Josh Ramsay, Ryan Stewart, and Tavish Crowe. In September 2011, she released the single "Call Me Maybe," co-written by Crowe and Ramsay. The song's popularity exploded after fellow Canadian pop star Justin Bieber promoted it on social media, leading his manager, Scooter Braun, to sign Jepsen to a joint worldwide recording contract with Schoolboy Records and Interscope Records. "Call Me Maybe" became a global sensation, topping the Canadian Hot 100 and making Jepsen the fourth Canadian artist to do so. In the United States, it spent nine weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was named "Song of the Summer" by Billboard magazine. The single was the best-selling single worldwide for 2012, with sales exceeding 18 million copies, and it topped the charts in 19 countries including the United Kingdom, where it was the year's second best-selling single. The song was included on her six-track EP Curiosity, released in Canada in February 2012. Following this success, she collaborated with Owl City on the top ten duet "Good Time," released in June 2012, which also charted highly in both Canada and the United States.

Her second studio album, Kiss, was released in September 2012 and featured the singles "This Kiss" and "Tonight I'm Getting Over You." The album reached the top ten in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, peaking at number five in Canada and number six on the US Billboard 200. The year 2012 also saw Jepsen become a spokesperson and model for the clothing retailer Wet Seal and appear on the season premiere of The CW's 90210. At the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, she won the Rising Star Award, becoming the first Canadian recipient. "Call Me Maybe" later received Grammy Award nominations for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. At the 2013 Juno Awards, Kiss won Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year, while "Call Me Maybe" won Single of the Year. In June 2013, a remix compilation titled Kiss: The Remix was released in Japan, peaking at number 157 on the Oricon chart. From June to October 2013, she went on The Summer Kiss Tour in North America and Asia, performing for international audiences newly familiar with her work.

Broadway, endorsements, and continued success

In January 2013, Jepsen became a spokesperson for the clothing and footwear brand Candie's, releasing new advertisements for the brand that July. In the spring of 2014, she expanded her artistic repertoire by making her Broadway debut, playing the title role in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella for a 12-week run. This engagement directly applied her early training in musical theatre from her high school and college years, fulfilling a long-standing passion for stage performance. In June 2014, she and her co-writers Josh Ramsay and Tavish Crowe received the International Achievement Award at the SOCAN Awards for the global success of "Call Me Maybe." These activities demonstrated her versatility as a performer and her marketability as a celebrity endorser during the peak of her initial fame, while also earning recognition from songwriting and performing rights organizations.

• In 2013, she pulled out of a scheduled performance at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree due to the organization's policy on homosexuality, a decision noted by her fans.
• She served as a spokesperson for Wet Seal in 2012 and for Candie's from 2013, appearing in promotional campaigns for both brands.
• Her Broadway run in Cinderella lasted from spring to early summer of 2014, requiring a relocation to New York City for the production.
• The SOCAN International Achievement Award recognized the songwriting team behind "Call Me Maybe" in 2014 for its extraordinary international sales and airplay.

This period of endorsements and theatrical work coincided with the sustained commercial performance of her Kiss album. In 2013, Jepsen became a spokesperson for clothing and footwear brand Candie's. She also became a spokesperson and model for clothing retailer Wet Seal. In the spring of 2014, Jepsen performed in the Broadway theatre production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella for 12 weeks. Her album Kiss reached top ten chart positions in several countries including Australia, the UK, Canada and the US.

Critical acclaim and artistic evolution with Emotion

Jepsen released the lead single "I Really Like You" from her third studio album in March 2015, accompanied by a music video featuring actor Tom Hanks lip-syncing to the song. The single peaked at number 14 in Canada and reached the top five in the United Kingdom, demonstrating continued international appeal. The studio album, titled Emotion, was released in June 2015 to widespread critical acclaim, developing a cult following and attracting a more mature audience. Although its commercial performance did not match that of Kiss, it peaked at number eight in Canada and number 16 on the US Billboard 200. The album featured collaborations with artists and producers including Rostam Batmanglij, Sia, Dev Hynes, Greg Kurstin, and Ariel Rechtshaid, and drew inspiration from 1980s pop artists like Cyndi Lauper and Madonna. The second single, "Run Away with Me," was released in July 2015. In November 2015, she began the Gimmie Love Tour in support of Emotion, performing the new material for audiences across North America.

In late 2015, Jepsen was featured on a new version of Bleachers' song "Shadow" and released a cover of Wham!'s "Last Christmas." She also recorded the theme song for the Netflix series Fuller House in December 2015, a remake of the classic Full House theme. In January 2016, she played Frenchy in the Fox television special Grease: Live, performing a new song entitled "All I Need Is an Angel" written specifically for the production. She voiced a supporting character in the 2016 animated film Ballerina, contributing to its soundtrack. That August, she released Emotion: Side B, an EP of eight tracks cut from the Emotion sessions, which was praised by publications like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork for its quality. In May 2017, she released the single "Cut to the Feeling," which was originally intended for Emotion but was featured in Ballerina and appeared on the Japanese deluxe version of the Side B EP. The following table outlines the commercial performance of her major studio albums in Canada and the United States, highlighting the chart positions that accompanied her critical success.

This period solidified Jepsen's reputation as an artist whose work resonated deeply with critics and a dedicated fanbase. Her third studio album, Emotion, was released in June 2015 and received critical acclaim. In August 2016, Jepsen released Emotion: Side B, an EP containing eight cut tracks from Emotion. The EP received critical acclaim from Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. In January 2016, Jepsen played Frenchy in Grease Live!, a live television presentation of the musical Grease.

The Dedicated era and touring

In early 2018, Jepsen served as the opening act for American singer Katy Perry's Witness: The Tour across North America, performing for large arena audiences. "Party for One," the lead single from her fourth studio album, was released in November 2018. Two more singles, "Now That I Found You" and "No Drug Like Me," followed in February 2019, with "Julien" and "Too Much" released as the fourth and fifth singles later that year. By this time, Scooter Braun was no longer her manager, though she remained signed to Schoolboy Records. Her fourth studio album, Dedicated, was released on May 17, 2019, with a tour beginning on June 27, 2019, that visited cities across North America and Europe. She performed an NPR Tiny Desk Concert in November 2019, offering an intimate, stripped-back performance of her songs. On May 21, 2020, the companion album Dedicated Side B was released, containing twelve additional tracks from the Dedicated sessions. In October 2020, she released the holiday song "It's Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries," which peaked at number 11 on the US Holiday Digital Songs chart, adding to her catalogue of seasonal music.

The Dedicated era demonstrated a consistent output of pop music and a strong connection with her audience. Her fourth studio album, Dedicated, was released on May 17, 2019, with a tour beginning June 27. Jepsen performed NPR's Tiny Desk Concert in November 2019. On May 21, 2020, the companion album Dedicated Side B was released, containing twelve additional tracks from Dedicated. In early 2018, Jepsen appeared as the opening act for American singer Katy Perry's Witness: The Tour.

Recent work: The Loneliest Time, The Loveliest Time, and Day and Night

Following Dedicated Side B's release, Jepsen confirmed she was working on a "quarantine album" with long-time collaborator Tavish Crowe, with whom she co-wrote "Call Me Maybe." She announced the lead single "Western Wind" at her Coachella performance in May 2022, releasing it on May 6, 2022. On August 3, 2022, she announced her sixth studio album, The Loneliest Time, which was released on October 21, 2022. The singles "Beach House" and "Talking to Yourself" were released in the months following the announcement. The title track, featuring Rufus Wainwright, was released as the fourth single on October 8, 2022, and became a viral success on TikTok, amassing nearly 200,000 videos and attention from celebrities like Meghan Trainor. The album debuted at number 18 on the Canadian Albums Chart, number 19 on the Billboard 200, and number 16 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming her highest-charting album in the UK in ten years. In support of the album, she began The So Nice Tour in September 2022, playing shows across North America, Europe, and Australia through March 2023, with an extension adding six dates in Japan. She also performed the theme song for the Amazon Kids+ series Hello Kitty: Super Style! in December 2022, contributing to children's programming.

On June 23, 2023, less than a year later, Jepsen released the disco-inspired single "Shy Boy," produced by James Ford and accompanied by a black-and-white music video. On July 6, 2023, she formally announced her seventh studio album The Loveliest Time, described as a companion to The Loneliest Time, and released it on July 28, 2023. In June 2026, she revealed her upcoming eighth studio album, Day and Night, would be a double album. Its lead single, "On Wires," was released on June 26, 2026, followed by the second single "After All" on July 16, 2026, and the third single "Don't Leave Me on the Dance Floor" on August 7, 2026. The album was released on September 18, 2026, to critical acclaim. This consistent output demonstrates her enduring creativity and connection with her audience across multiple album cycles and stylistic explorations, from disco to introspective pop.

Artistry, musical influences, and impact

Jepsen's musical style is characterized by subversively catchy lyrics, slick arrangements, and pop experimentation. Classified as a soprano, her voice has been described by critics as hushed, flawless, airy, and precise. Her early influences were rooted in the folk music favoured by her parents, with artists like Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, and Van Morrison inspiring her debut album, Tug of War. During the recording of Curiosity and Kiss, she said she became increasingly influenced by pop and dance music, in particular the works of Dragonette, Kimbra, La Roux, and Robyn. Her third studio album, Emotion, drew from her love of 1980s pop artists including Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Prince. Jepsen has expressed admiration for a wide range of artists including Cat Power, Christine and the Queens, Tegan and Sara, Bleachers, Kate Bush, Bob Dylan, and Taylor Swift, indicating a broad and eclectic taste.

Jepsen has been referred to as a queer icon, having performed at several pride parades and built a strong following within the LGBTQ+ community. Her decision in March 2013 to pull out of performing at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree due to their policy on homosexuality was a public stance aligned with this perception and her fanbase's values. Her artistry reflects a synthesis of diverse influences, resulting in a signature sound that balances infectious pop melodies with emotional depth and musical sophistication. Billboard's ranking of Jepsen at number 75 on its Top Women Artists of the 21st Century Chart, published on March 14, 2025, quantifies her lasting impact on popular music based on chart performance and cultural relevance over decades.

Awards and recognition

Throughout her career, Carly Rae Jepsen has received significant recognition from the music industry. Her trophy case includes three Juno Awards and three Billboard Music Awards. She was the first Canadian recipient of the Billboard Rising Star Award in 2012. In 2014, she and her co-writers Josh Ramsay and Tavish Crowe received the International Achievement Award from SOCAN for "Call Me Maybe." She has also been honoured with the Allan Slaight Award. Her work has garnered nominations for prestigious awards including the Grammy Awards, the Polaris Music Prize, MTV Video Music Awards, and People's Choice Awards. The consistent acclaim for her albums, particularly Emotion and its follow-ups, has built a reputation for artistic integrity within the pop genre, noted by critics and award juries alike.

• Juno Awards: 3 wins (Album of the Year for Kiss, Pop Album of the Year for Kiss, Single of the Year for "Call Me Maybe" - 2013).
• Billboard Music Awards: 3 wins, including Rising Star Award (2012).
• Allan Slaight Award: 1 win.
• SOCAN Awards: International Achievement Award (2014).
• Grammy Award Nominations: 2 nominations for "Call Me Maybe" for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance (2013).
• Chart Achievement: Ranked number 75 on Billboard's Top Women Artists of the 21st Century Chart (2025).

These awards and nominations chart her journey from a reality television contestant to an internationally awarded artist. Jepsen has received three Juno Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, and an Allan Slaight Award. She has also been nominated for Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Polaris Music Prize, and People's Choice Awards. Jepsen ranked number 75 on Billboard Top Women Artists of the 21st Century Chart published on March 14, 2025. Her single "Call Me Maybe" was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.

Personal life

In her personal life, Carly Rae Jepsen announced her engagement to American record producer Cole M.G.N. in September 2024. The couple married on October 4, 2025, in a private ceremony. They announced they were expecting their first child in November 2025, and their child was born in March 2026, marking a new chapter in her life. Jepsen has also been recognized as a queer icon within the LGBTQ+ community, having performed at several pride parades and publicly supported related causes. In 2013, she made a principled stand by withdrawing from a performance at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree due to the organization's policy on homosexuality at the time. Her family background includes parents and stepparents who were teachers, which influenced her early consideration of a career in music instruction before her performance career took precedence.

Questions about Carly Rae Jepsen

How did Carly Rae Jepsen get famous?

Carly Rae Jepsen first gained national fame in Canada by placing third on the fifth season of Canadian Idol in 2007. Her true international breakthrough came in 2012 with the release of the single "Call Me Maybe. The song went viral after being promoted by Justin Bieber, leading to a major record deal and becoming the best-selling single worldwide that year, topping charts in over 19 countries. This success was followed by her album Kiss and the hit duet "Good Time" with Owl City, cementing her status as a global pop star.

What are Carly Rae Jepsen's most popular songs?

Jepsen's most popular song is undoubtedly "Call Me Maybe," a global chart-topper in 2012. Other major hits include "Good Time," her duet with Owl City, "I Really Like You," and "Party for One. Critically acclaimed fan favourites often come from her album Emotion, such as "Run Away with Me," and more recent viral successes include "The Loneliest Time," her duet with Rufus Wainwright. Her 2023 single "Shy Boy" and 2026's "On Wires" represent her continued output of pop music that resonates with both critics and audiences.

Is Carly Rae Jepsen married?

Yes, Carly Rae Jepsen is married. She married American record producer Cole M.G.N. on October 4, 2025, after announcing their engagement in September 2024. The couple announced they were expecting their first child in November 2025, and their child was born in March 2026. Her personal life milestones have been shared publicly while she maintains an active music career, balancing family with touring and recording new albums.

How many Juno Awards has Carly Rae Jepsen won?

Carly Rae Jepsen has won three Juno Awards. These awards are part of a wider recognition of her work in the Canadian music industry. She received these honours at events such as the Juno Awards of 2013, where her album Kiss won both Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year, and her single Call Me Maybe won Single of the Year. Beyond the Junos, her accolades also include three Billboard Music Awards and an Allan Slaight Award. She has also received nominations for other prestigious awards including Grammy Awards and the Polaris Music Prize.

Was Carly Rae Jepsen on Broadway?

Yes, Carly Rae Jepsen made her Broadway theatre stage debut. This occurred in the spring of 2014 when she performed in the Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. She played the titular character, Cinderella, for a run of 12 weeks. This venture into theatre followed her earlier training and passion for musical theatre, which began during her school years. Her stage experience prior to Broadway included student productions where she played roles such as Annie, Sandy Olsson in Grease, and Dorothy Gale in The Wiz.

What is Carly Rae Jepsen's newest album?

As of 2026, Carly Rae Jepsen's newest album is Day and Night. This is her eighth studio album, which was released on September 18, 2026. It is a double album that was preceded by singles including On Wires, After All, and Don't Leave Me on the Dance Floor. The album followed her previous releases, The Loneliest Time from 2022 and its companion album The Loveliest Time from July 2023. Day and Night was met with critical acclaim upon its release, continuing her career of studio albums that began with Tug of War in 2008.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.