Carly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen
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Name	Carly Rae Jepsen
Caption	Jepsen performing in 2019
Birth name	Carly Rae Jepsen
Birth date	21 November 1985
Birth place	Mission, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, actress
Years active	2007–present
Label	MapleMusic, 604 Records, Schoolboy, Interscope
Associated acts	Josh Ramsay, Tavish Crowe, Jack Antonoff, Rostam Batmanglij
Website	carlyraemusic.com

Carly Rae Jepsen is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to global prominence in 2012 with her international hit single "Call Me Maybe". Her music, characterized by its blend of pop, synth-pop, and disco influences, has garnered a dedicated fanbase and significant critical acclaim, particularly for her studio albums *Emotion* and *Dedicated*. Beyond her recording career, she has appeared on Broadway and in feature films, solidifying her status as a versatile entertainer.

Early life and career beginnings

Born in Mission, British Columbia, she was raised in the nearby community of Matsqui and developed an early interest in musical theatre. After graduating from the Heritage Park Secondary musical theatre program, she relocated to Vancouver to pursue performance. Her first major break came in 2007 as a contestant on the fifth season of the Canadian television series *Canadian Idol*, where she finished in third place, gaining national exposure. This led to a recording contract with MapleMusic and the release of her folk-influenced debut album, *Tug of War*, in 2008 on 604 Records, which spawned the Canadian top-40 single "Bucket".

Breakthrough and "Call Me Maybe"

Her career trajectory shifted dramatically with the 2011 release of "Call Me Maybe", a song co-written with Tavish Crowe and produced by Josh Ramsay of Marianas Trench. After Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez promoted the track on Twitter, it became a viral YouTube sensation, leading to a worldwide deal with Schoolboy Records and Interscope Records. The single topped the *Billboard* Hot 100 for nine weeks, became the best-selling single of 2012 globally, and earned nominations for Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards and Single of the Year at the Juno Awards.

2013–2017: *Kiss*, *Emotion*, and *Emotion: Side B*

Capitalizing on her sudden fame, she released her second studio album, *Kiss*, in 2012, featuring collaborations with Owl City and LMFAO. While commercially successful, she sought greater artistic control for her next project. Her critically acclaimed third album, *Emotion* (2015), co-crafted with writers like Sia, Dev Hynes, and Rostam Batmanglij, was praised for its sophisticated '80s-inspired synth-pop sound. Though it did not replicate the chart success of "Call Me Maybe", it developed a cult following and appeared on year-end lists by publications like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. The 2016 release of *Emotion: Side B*, a collection of outtakes from the album's sessions, further cemented her reputation among critics and pop aficionados.

2018–2022: *Dedicated* and *The Loneliest Time*

Her fourth studio album, *Dedicated* (2019), and its 2020 follow-up, *Dedicated Side B*, continued her collaboration with producers including Jack Antonoff and explored themes of love and desire over disco and funk grooves. During this period, she made her Broadway debut, playing the role of Cinderella in the 2014 revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's *Cinderella*, and appeared in the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's *Cats*. Her fifth album, *The Loneliest Time*, arrived in 2022, featuring the duet "Western Wind" with Rostam Batmanglij and the dance-pop title track with Rufus Wainwright.

2023–present: *The Loveliest Time* and other projects

In July 2023, she released *The Loveliest Time*, a companion album to *The Loneliest Time* consisting of more experimental, uptempo tracks created during the same sessions. She embarked on The So Nice Tour across North America and Europe in support of both albums. Concurrently, she contributed the song "Shadow" to the soundtrack of the 2024 Amazon MGM Studios film *The Idea of You*, starring Anne Hathaway.

Artistry and public image

Often described as a "pop perfectionist", her artistry is noted for its meticulous songcraft, bright melodies, and nostalgic reverence for 1980s pop and 1990s dance music. While initially perceived as a one-hit wonder following "Call Me Maybe", her dedicated work on *Emotion* and subsequent albums transformed her public image into that of a critically respected album artist with a passionate LGBT fanbase. Her vocal style is frequently compared to that of Robyn and Cyndi Lauper.

Discography and achievements

Her discography includes the studio albums *Tug of War* (2008), *Kiss* (2012), *Emotion* (2015), *Dedicated* (2019), and *The Loneliest Time* (2022). Among her numerous accolades are three Juno Awards, including the Album of the Year for *Kiss*, a Billboard Music Award, and a Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award for her work in *Cats*. Her single "Call Me Maybe" has been certified Diamond in several countries, including the United States and Canada.

Category:Canadian pop singers Category:Canadian songwriters Category:Canadian Idol contestants Category:21st-century Canadian women singers