Lara (라라) is a member of global girl group KATSEYE (캣츠아이), which debuted on June 28, 2024, under HYBE Labels and Geffen Records.
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KATSEYE’s Lara’s Biography
- Stage Name: Lara (라라)
- Birth Name: Lara Rajagopalan (லாரா ராஜகோபாலன்)
- Date of Birth: November 3, 2005
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Nationality: American
- Height: 167 cm (5’6″)
- Instagram: @lararajj
- TikTok: @lararajj (Private)
KATSEYE’s Lara’s Facts
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Larra is of Tamil descent, with her mother, Kavita Raj, hailing from India and her father, Sri Rajagopalan, from Sri Lanka. She thus speaks both English and Tamil fluently.
Music runs in Lara’s family, as her older sister, Rhea Raj, is a singer-songwriter. Lara herself is deeply involved in music production and considers the recording studio her favorite place to be. Her childhood dream was to become a pop star and producer, a goal she actively pursues to this day. She also has a keen interest in fashion, styling, and makeup.
Her charm is defined by her open-mindedness and belief in infinite possibilities, always striving to expand her horizons alongside her group members. Some of her affectionate nicknames include “Laru” and “Lar Lar.” She is known for her confidence and fierceness, which she considers her charm points.
Lara’s favorite things include crystals, music, and coffee items she cannot live without. She enjoys baggy clothes, statement pieces, and flashy outfits. Her favorite songs are “Maria I’m Drunk” by Travis Scott, “Bad Girls” by M.I.A., and “ILoveUIHateU” by Playboi Carti. She also has a deep appreciation for Kesha, citing her as a major influence in her decision to pursue music.
Lara’s role models in K-pop are ENHYPEN’s Ni-Ki and BTS’s Jimin, whom she admires for their dance skills and elegance. If given a chance, she dreams of collaborating with Rihanna, Britney Spears, Timbaland, BTS’ Jimin, Pharrell Williams, and M.I.A. She also hopes to befriend HyeJu of Loossemble and LOONA.
In terms of personality, Lara is physically affectionate and enjoys deep conversations. She often envisions herself as the mysterious main character in a movie when driving while listening to music. She also ranked herself and Megan as the least studious members of KATSEYE.
She dreams of having the superpower to travel through different dimensions to explore the vast universe. Her favorite quote, “Don’t ever dim your light to make someone else shine,” perfectly encapsulates her outlook on life.
Her future aspirations for KATSEYE include world tours, Coachella performances, and even winning Grammys. She is also open to getting a group tattoo with her fellow members. Fun moments with the group include their frequent “delusional hours,” where they laugh endlessly together.
KATSEYE’s Lara’s Career
According to HinduStanTimes, Lara began her training in acting, dancing, and singing at the age of 4. She is also known for her appearance on NBC’s “The Blacklist”, and was once featured in Michelle Obama’s Global Girls Alliance campaign.In addition, Lara Raj modeled for a 2017 campaign of Macy’s, as well as co-hosted a campaign called “Go Red For Women” of the American Heart Association. She often published her cover songs and dance videos on her Instagram.
In 2023, Lara appeared in the survival show “The Debut: Dream Academy” and secured 2nd place overall, making her a finalist. She debuted as a member of KATSEYE on June 28, 2024 with their first single “Debut” from their first EP, “SIS (Soft is Strong)”.
You can find out more about Lara’s career with KATSEYE in the Profile of KATSEYE.
KATSEYE’s Lara’s Brave Come Out
On March 24, Lara came out as queer via a conversation with fans on the fan communication platform Weverse. “Coming out can be scary. And for me, it felt even more daunting because of the added layer of being a person of color”, she stated, before stating that she has known she was “half fruitcake” (slang term for “bisexual”) since before she was 8. According to Lara, she isn’t ashamed of her sexual orientation, as it’s just a part of her.
In fact, fans have suspected Lara of liking women since back in 2024, after the female idol replied “Yeaaaa I do” to a TikTok comment asking if she likes girls back in 2021. Lara also shared a TikTok about “checking out” women and was spotted attending pride events.
