9781422270844

Winehouse, who tragically died of alcohol poisoning at the age of 27, and Emma Bunton, better known as “Baby Spice” of the popular British band The Spice Girls.

“Since I was really young, I’ve always kept lists. My parents found it really funny because they would find them all over the house, but it’s something that I’ve done religiously—I try a new restaurant, I write it down. Movies I want to watch, books I want to read, places I want to see, drinks, recipes, everything.” Lipa experienced a rocky beginning at the school, where she enjoyed the freedom to choose activities with her friends over studying, and her grades plummeted. However, she quickly regained her footing and her focus. The teen got a job at a London restaurant while she dabbled in recording cover songs and splashing them on social media. She also devoted some time to writing a blog, did some modeling and acting, and recorded demos that she sent all around the city, hoping to snag an agent’s attention—and a recording deal. Cracking the entertainment industry is notoriously tough, and Lipa didn’t exactly have agents crowding on her doorstep looking to sign her. While unable to make any headway in music, her striking looks paved the way for some modest success as a model. She modeled for a large fashion retailer, then she caught a big break when she nabbed an appearance in a commercial for The X Factor television show. The spot turned executives’ heads and pried open the door to opportunity. In 2013, the young singer signed a contract with Tap Management, where executives recognized her talent and potential but also realized that it needed some fine-tuning and smoothing out. They encouraged Lipa to focus on her singing, and by the time 2015 rolled around, she had a major-label record deal—linking up with Ben Mawson and Warner Brothers Records—and a life-altering new album was soon in the works.

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Dua Lipa