Carly Rae Jepsen
Who was Carly Rae Jepsen?
Canadian pop singer who achieved international fame with her 2011 hit single Call Me Maybe.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Carly Rae Jepsen (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Carly Rae Jepsen was born on November 21, 1985, in Mission, British Columbia, Canada. She studied music at The Royal Conservatory of Music and pursued musical theatre during her school years. She first entered the entertainment scene in 2007 by participating in the fifth season of Canadian Idol, where she placed third, giving her a notable introduction to the Canadian music scene.
After Canadian Idol, Jepsen released her debut album, Tug of War, in Canada in 2008. This album had a folk-influenced sound that was quite different from her later pop music. However, her career took off in 2012 with the release of "Call Me Maybe," a song that became a worldwide sensation. The single hit number one in over 19 countries, sold over 18 million copies, and was named the best-selling single of 2012. This success led to major record deals with Schoolboy Records and Interscope Records, launching her as an international pop artist.
The success of "Call Me Maybe" was followed by her second album, Kiss, also in 2012. The album featured "Good Time," a duet with Owl City, which became a top ten hit in both Canada and the United States. In 2014, Jepsen made her Broadway debut as Cinderella for 12 weeks, showing her skills as a performer beyond singing and touring.
Jepsen's music style shifted with her 2015 album, Emotion, which embraced 1980s-inspired dance-pop and synth-pop. The album included singles like "I Really Like You," "Your Type," and "Run Away with Me," and was praised for its cohesive style and production. In 2016, she broadened her career by appearing in the TV special Grease: Live and doing voice work for the animated film Ballerina. Her later albums, Dedicated (2019) and The Loneliest Time (2022), along with companion releases Dedicated Side B and The Loveliest Time, explored different pop styles while maintaining her unique voice and songwriting.
Before Fame
Growing up in Mission, British Columbia, Jepsen honed her musical skills with formal training at The Royal Conservatory of Music. Focusing academically on musical theatre, she gained performance skills and stage presence that later helped her recording career. During her university years, she kept studying musical theatre, building a base in vocal technique and acting.
Her music career kicked off in 2007 when she auditioned for the fifth season of Canadian Idol. Finishing in third place gave her industry connections and public recognition in Canada, leading to her first recording opportunities and the release of her debut album the next year.
Key Achievements
- "Call Me Maybe" became the best-selling single of 2012 with over 18 million copies sold worldwide
- Achieved number one chart positions in more than 19 countries with "Call Me Maybe"
- Made Broadway debut as Cinderella in 2014
- Won American Music Award for New Artist of the Year in 2012
- Received three Billboard Music Awards and was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2013
Did You Know?
- 01.She is married to Cole M.G.N., a musician and producer who has collaborated on several of her projects
- 02.Her single "Call Me Maybe" was endorsed by Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, which helped propel it to international success
- 03.She collaborated with Rufus Wainwright on the title track of her 2022 album The Loneliest Time
- 04.Her 2019 single "OMG" with Gryffin reached number one on the Dance Club Songs chart
- 05.She played the title role in the Broadway production of Cinderella for exactly 12 weeks in 2014
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Canada's Walk of Fame | 2013 | — |
| Billboard Music Awards | 2013 | — |
| American Music Award for New Artist of the Year | 2012 | — |
| Teen Choice Awards | 2012 | — |
| NRJ Music Award for International Revelation of the Year | 2013 | — |