Lara Raj

Lara Rajagopalan (born November 3, 2005), known professionally as Lara Raj, is an American singer. In 2024, she made her debut as a member of Katseye, a girl group formed through the 2023 reality show Dream Academy created by Hybe and Geffen Records.

Early life and education Lara Rajagopalan was born on November 3, 2005 in Stamford, Connecticut, in the United States, to Sri Lankan Tamil immigrants, Kavita and Srivastan Rajagopalan. Lara's mother is a Bharatnatyam dance teacher and chef, while her father is a businessman. Her older sister, Rhea, is a singer-songwriter with whom she learned how to produce music and shared a love for creating music.

Career

2010–2022: Career beginnings and early work Raj began performing when she was five years old. In 2019, Raj appeared in a principal role in former First Lady Michelle Obama's Global Girls Alliance campaign launch video.

2023–present: Dream Academy and debut with Katseye

Lara Raj first gained attention by posting song covers on social media, which led to her being scouted to join The Debut: Dream Academy, a talent competition program created by Hybe and Geffen Records as part of their initiative to create a "global girl group". By the finale in November 2023, Raj placed second overall, securing her position in Katseye, and temporarily becoming the group's leader before giving the position to bandmate Sophia Laforteza. As a result, she became the first Sri Lankan-origin artist to sign under a Hybe label. The group's formation process was later chronicled in the 2024 Netflix docuseries Popstar Academy: Katseye. Raj is credited for proposing that the group's initial name, "Catseye", be changed to the stylized form "Katseye", a suggestion that was ultimately adopted.

In December 2025, Raj was included in GLAAD's 20 Under 20 list. Presented by Teen Vogue, the list honors influential LGBTQ youth aged 20 and below. In February 2026, Raj starred in rapper Baby Keem's music video for "Birds & the Bees", playing a character in a toxic relationship with Keem.

Media image Raj is an advocate of South Asian representation in media. She appears with culturally specific adornments like a bindi, an Om necklace, and bangles. During Katseye's "Better in Denim" campaign with Gap, Raj spoke about how important it was for young brown girls to see someone who looks like them on billboards, saying that her mission is to make the South Asian community feel "uplifted, powerful and confident". In January 2026, Teen Vogue commended Raj for promoting body positivity and speaking out against diet culture. On March 3, 2026, Raj was featured in The New York Times ' Midi crossword puzzle.

On her clothing style, Raj said, "Some days I love to be super feminine and I love to show a bunch of skin and really be super girly. And then some days I love to be more masculine, baggy clothes, and really have my tattoos out."

Discography

As a contestant of Dream Academy, Raj participated in the promotional release of the contestants' shared songs for competition. They were performed on November 17, 2023, and released to streaming platforms on August 21, 2024.

As lead artist Title Year Album "Dirty Water" 2024 The Debut: Dream Academy - Live Finale "All The Same"

Songwriting and production credits Title Year Artist Album Lyricist Producer "Gnarly" (Lara x Lancey Foux x Slush Puppy remix) 2025 Katseye, Lancey Foux, and Slush Puppy "Now That Ur Gone" Rhea Raj Commotion

Videography

Public service announcement video Campaign Year "Welcome to the Global Girls Alliance" 2018

Music video appearance + Song title Year Artist Director(s) "Outside" 2022 Rhea Raj Rhea Raj, Divya Jethwani "Birds & the Bees" 2026 Baby Keem Jack Begert

Filmography

Reality shows Year Title Role Network 2023 Dream Academy Contestant YouTube 2024 Pop Star Academy: Katseye Herself Netflix

Films Year Title Role Notes 2016 Emoting Emojis Piper Short film

Television Year Title Role Notes 2018 The Blacklist Sara Episode: "Sutton Ross"