10/9/2026

Zara Larsson holding the Mental Health Champion of the Year Award from The Trevor Project. Robin Bøe

The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, presented Zara Larsson with its 2026 mental health champion of the year award, celebrating her longstanding advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and her openness about mental health.

The annual award spotlights influential public figures who use their voices to challenge stigma, shift culture and advocate for the mental health and well-being of young LGBTQ+ people. Larsson is the sixth recipient of the award, following four other major pop stars — Megan Thee Stallion (2025), Dua Lipa (2024), Janelle Monáe (2022) and Lil Nas X (2021) — as well as social media personality, actress and singer Dylan Mulvaney (2023), who is transgender.

“I’ve never understood the idea of having a platform and not using it to speak up about the things you believe in,” Larsson said in a statement. “LGBTQ+ people have shown me so much love throughout my career, and I want young people in this community to know that I see them, I support them, and they should always feel free to be exactly who they are. I’m incredibly honored to receive this award and proud to stand alongside The Trevor Project in supporting LGBTQ+ young people.”

“Zara Larsson has built a career around the idea that joy, self-expression, and being unapologetically yourself are things worth celebrating,” said Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project. “She has consistently stood alongside LGBTQ+ people, championed LGBTQ+ voices within her own creative community and used her platform to make clear that everyone deserves the freedom to live openly and authentically. Just as importantly, she has been willing to speak candidly about her own mental health and the importance of asking for and accepting support.”

Larsson has publicly spoken out in support of transgender people and trans rights, headlined major Pride celebrations and frequently credited her LGBTQ+ fans for the influence they have had on her music and creativity. She has also used her platform to speak candidly about mental health and help destigmatize conversations around seeking support. She partnered with Maybelline’s Brave Together mental health initiative in 2024.

Larsson, 28, is coming off the biggest year of her career to date. She was a Grammy nominee at the ceremony in February for “Midnight Sun,” which was nominated for best dance pop recording. She received the breakthrough award at Billboard‘s Women in Music event at the Hollywood Palladium in April. “Midnight Sun” reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September. Also, she reached No. 6 as the featured artist on PinkPantheress’ “Stateside” and No. 35 with her own “Lush Life.”  

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