Lara Raj

born November 3, 2005), known professionally as Lara Raj, is an American singer and a member of the global girl group KATSEYE. She rose to prominence after placing second on the 2023 reality competition show The Debut: Dream Academy, a joint venture between HYBE and Geffen Records. Heritage & Representation: A first-generation Indian-American of Tamil descent, she is the first artist of Indian origin to debut under a HYBE label. She frequently incorporates cultural elements like bindis, nose rings, and saris into her styling to promote South Asian representation. Career Highlights: Group Identity: She is credited with suggesting the stylized "K" for the group's name, changing it from "Catseye" to KATSEYE. Mainstream Success: She starred in a viral Gap fall campaign and recently featured in Baby Keem's music video for "Birds & the Bees". Accolades: Her work with KATSEYE led to two Grammy nominations in 2025 and a sold-out North American tour. Personal Life: Public Identity: In early 2025, she came out as queer (identifying as bisexual) on Weverse. Family: Her older sister, Rhea Raj, is also a singer and songwriter. Education: She attended the Professional Performing Arts School and LaGuardia High School in New York City. Instagram Instagram +12 Performance and Influence Lara is recognized for her powerful vocals and stage presence, often cited as a "frontrunner" during her training. She has been praised by major publications like Vogue India and Teen Vogue for her advocacy for body positivity and cultural pride. YouTube YouTube +4