
In 2020, Dua Lipa stirred the pop music scene with the release of her newest album, "Future Nostalgia." Filled with well-crafted tunes and 80's sounding arrangements, the record is a powerful statement of Lipa's newfound maturity and ability to innovate. But the young pop princess has been turning heads ever since she first appeared in the music scene, about five years ago.
If you happen to own a radio or a Spotify account, you're most likely familiar with Dua Lipa's remarkable beauty, unmistakable talent, and likable personality. But what else do you know about her? Today, we will be looking at the unexpected lesser-known facts surrounding the life and work of one of the most promising names in the world of pop music.
What's Her Real Name?

It's true; Dua Lipa's real name is Dua Lipa. You see, Lipa was born to Albanian parents living in Kosovo, which means that she doesn't have the British-sounding name you might have expected. Her father is a former singer and music promoter called Dukagjin Lipa.
As for her first-name, Dua, it translates roughly as the Albanian word for 'love.' It can also mean 'I want.' An already somewhat exotic name by Kosovian standards, Dua Lipa's birth certificate seemed to already point out that she was cut out to be a star. She didn't even have to find a trendy pseudonym to launch her musical career!
Was She Always This Talented?

The short answer is yes. But while growing up, Dua Lipa was forced to face some harsh, demotivating criticism. When she was younger, she failed to be admitted to the school choir after being told that she couldn't sing by one of her teachers.
Well, that teacher is now history, especially considering how successful Lipa has been. On the other hand, she got some support from a Sylvia Young Theatre School professor years earlier, who told her that she had a natural ability for music and got her to sing alongside older students.
What's Her Family Like?
Besides having a father who loves to sing, Dua Lipa was graced with a beautiful and happy family. Daddy Dukagjin married Anesa Lipa, who works in tourism, and Dua has a younger brother and sister.
Her little sister is the beautiful Rina, who's becoming increasingly popular on Instagram, now counting with over 788K followers. Her little brother is the lovely Gjin, and judging by the family genes, he's probably also cut out to be a star in the future.
Is Her Father Still Involved With Music?

Besides having a lovely voice, Mr. Lipa also runs the Sunny Hill Festival, arguably the biggest, most-modern music festival in Kosovo. The event was once cited by the New York Times and featured well-known headliners such as Action Bronson, Martin Garrix, and, of course, Dua Lipa.
Besides being an incredibly popular festival, Sunny Hill is also the name of a non-profit organization. The Lipa family runs the Sunny Hill Foundation, and it helps the people of Kosovo by providing charity assistance and music & arts programs, particularly in the region of Prishtina.
Did She Always Live in Kosovo?

Actually, no. She only lived in Kosovo from 2006 to 2009. For the first 11 years of her life, she lived in London with her parents. In 2006, her family moved to Kosovo after Dua's father received a job offer. But the little Dua couldn't wait to get back to the big city.
By the time she was 15, she had decided to move back to the U.K. and started living on her own. She shared a flat with some friends and started working on her musical career. She grew up a lot during this period but later admitted that doing all the cooking and cleaning on her own was harder than she'd expected.
What Was Her School Like?

While living in London, Dua Lipa attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School, which was founded in 1972 and specializes in performing arts. Most notably, the school is famous for its former celebrity alumni, which include a lot of well-known British superstars.
Besides Dua Lipa, famous singers like the late Amy Winehouse and the former The X Factor winner Leona Lewis also studied at the Sylvia Young Theatre School. Other celebrity students include singer Rita Ora, businesswoman Gemma Collins, and actress/singer Billie Piper.
How Did She Become Famous?

It doesn't matter how beautiful and talented you are. Fame doesn't just come out of nowhere. Living on her own in London, Dua Lipa started by uploading some covers of well-known songs to YouTube.
She eventually built a musical portfolio and caught the eye of a major record label, but only after about three years of hard work and dedication. Her path to fame wasn't your typical night-to-day viral story, but hey, not everybody can be as lucky as Justin Bieber!
When Did She Get Signed?

After three to four years of uploading covers to YouTube and working an odd job at the door of a Mayfair nightclub, Dua Lipa finally got the big contract she was looking for. She started by associating with a music management company in 2013, and two years later, she was picked up by Warner Bros.
In 2015, Warner Bros. was looking to sign a prominent female pop artist, and Dua seemed to be the girl they were looking for. She got the looks, the voice, and even an excellent array of original songs. But was she going to be able to pull it off?
What About Her First Big Hit?

After getting signed, Dua Lipa blew up almost immediately. Her first two singles were highly successful, she was touring all across the U.K., and she was collaborating with consolidated pop artists such as Sean Paul. But the moment that changed everything was probably the release of "New Rules."
By the time the video for "New Rules" got out, in 2017, Lipa was already a well-established upcoming pop artist. But its success was out of this world. The song got over 1.9 billion views on YouTube and allowed Lipa to climb to the very top of the pop music ladder. She was no longer a rising star; she was one of the world's most famous performing artists.
Who Has She Worked With?

We've mentioned Sean Paul, but Dua Lipa is really good when it comes to collaborating with talented people. She co-wrote a song with Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin, she shared the stage with artists like Bruno Mars and Troye Sivan, and she teamed up with accomplished DJ Calvin Harris for the pop-house tune "One Kiss."
Dua Lipa's not only working with some of the most famous artists out there, but she also counts with the support of a dedicated team of talented music producers. Her latest record, "Future Nostalgia," included a team of over 80 dedicated music professionals.
What About Her Influences?

Dua Lipa's style is unmistakable, and it's getting more unique as the years go by. "Future Nostalgia" is particularly exemplary of how she's starting to find her artistic voice. But she was inspired by many artists that she listened to as she grew up.
In Dua Lipa's list of influences, you can find names such as Pink, Nelly Furtado, Jamiroquai, and Kendrick Lamar. She also loves Blondie, Madonna, and Outkast. Since many of these artists are still active today, there's a good chance we will be looking at some exciting Dua Lipa collaborations in the future.
What About Awards?

You cannot be as successful as Dua Lipa is without having a well-packed award shelf back home. And Dua Lipa has won so many throughout her short musical career that she probably needs a whole room just to store her precious accolades.
Besides being listed for a fair share of lesser-known music awards, Dua Lipa has won three BRIT Awards (out of a whopping total of ten nominations), two Grammy Awards, and one NME Award.
How Wealthy is She?

As you've probably guessed by now, Dua Lipa is incredibly wealthy. Having a long list of hits comes with more than just golden awards, and Lipa's fortune has been getting fatter and fatter over the years.
Even though some sources evaluate her net worth at $3 million, a recent Australian news article placed her as one of the biggest earners of the show-biz world. Reportedly, she has a bank account of $33 million and has made a total of $47.5 million with her live shows, record sales, and public appearances.
How Many Tattoos Does She Have?

Dua Lipa is a big fan of tattoos, and she has at least 12 small tattoos all over her body. Like her good friend Ariana Grande, she's a fan of the simpler, smaller designs. She has a rose tattoo on her forearm that she did after a 2018 concert in Paris, a little "mum-dad" tattoo below her right elbow, and one featuring the initials of her siblings (R-G) in her wrist.
She also has a Sunny Hill Festival tattoo, a tattoo that reads "Angel" in her shoulder (which was reportedly copied by one her fans), and a wonky thumb tattoo featuring a Keith Haring design of two men dancing.
Who Was Her Childhood Crush?

All little girls have their childhood celebrity crush, and Dua Lipa is no exception. As it seems, she has a liking for the bad-boy type. When she was young, she was crazy about British pop star Robbie Williams, a former Take That singer and accomplished solo artist. Maybe this helps to explain her fascination with tattoos?
But she also loved Tupac Shakur. She reportedly loves to go out and have some karaoke fun singing Tupac's hit single "Changes."
Who's Her Crush Now?

Right now, Dua Lipa's crush is the model/influencer/TV personality Anwar Hadid. The brother of the beautiful Hadid sisters, Anwar's been dating Lipa at least since the Summer of 2019, and there's no doubt the two make one of the most exciting and fashionable celebrity couples out there.
Before getting cozy with Hadid, Dua Lipa dated the hunky celebrity chef Isaac Carew. The two experienced an on-and-off relationship until breaking up for good in 2019. According to some newspaper sources, they have decided to remain friends.
How Does She Stay Beautiful?

Dua Lipa is cautious when it comes to makeup. She has recently spoken about how traveling constantly can be very bad for her skin, so she does her best to use cream, not to overdo it, and to focus mainly on matte-based face products.
She has also mentioned that she likes to use a toothbrush for all sorts of hacks. She uses it as a lip scrub, to apply dark eye shadow, and to conveniently replace any make-up supplies that may be missing. And don't worry, it's not always the same toothbrush!
Who Are Her Fashion Idols?

The best pop artists in the world know that fashion can be used to make powerful statements. Dua Lipa is undoubtedly aware of this, and she's a major player when it comes to using impressive attire during her public appearances.
She has admitted that she has a small obsession with the '90s, and with the styles of personalities such as Kate Moss and Drew Barrymore. She draws a lot of inspiration from that decade, even though she always adds her own spin to her clothing.
Did She Ever Attempt Modelling?

It doesn't take an imaginative mind to wonder whether Dua Lipa has ever tried to make a runway career. In fact, she was invited to become a model when she was very young, but she was never a big fan of the idea.
She later revealed that she believes that being a model is very bad for a girl's mentality, and she also said that she never was the right size. Looking at how beautiful and fit she looks, it's hard to believe. But hey, modeling standards are getting out of control in this day and age.
What About Dua Lipa's Most Awkward Moment?

Yes, pop stars like Dua Lipa also go through their share of awkward moments. Awkward situations are simply inescapable. In a Q&A session with BuzzFeed, Dua Lipa said that the most embarrassing moment happened right before she went on stage.
She was ready to perform for her fans when she realized she had a hole in her trousers! Without enough time to change clothes, she did the best she could to keep her dance moves above the waist. She pulled it off like a true pop queen.
Does She Have Any Secret Talents?

In a video interview with FACT magazine, Dua Lipa was asked if she had any hidden talents. At first, she said she couldn't do anything but sing. But soon enough, she remembered something: she's very good at spelling!
Being great at spelling will not get you as many fans as singing pop tunes on a big stage, but it's nonetheless a noble talent. And Lipa is so good that she has admitted to being able to spell 'pterodactyl' without even blinking!
What Does She Watch?

Yes, between all the touring, recording, appearances in the media, and photoshoots, superstars like Dua Lipa still find some free time to relax in front of the TV.
In a 2016 interview, Dua Lipa admitted that the movie that made her laugh the most was Zoolander, a comedy starring Ben Stiller, which satirizes the competitive world of high-class fashion. In the same interview, she was asked about her favorite TV guilty pleasure. Dua Lipa's answer? Gossip Girl.
How Many Teeth Does She Have?

We know it's an odd question. But it makes sense in Dua Lipa's case, especially since she shared a very odd fact about her teeth on her social media account. While most adults have been blessed with the regular set of 32 teeth, Dua Lipa was graced with an extra one.
She shared an X-ray picture of her extra tooth, and her fans went wild! She called herself an 'overachiever,' but she still fell behind some of her followers, who claimed to have a total of 34 teeth. Can this be the secret to her beautiful voice?
Other Curious Facts About Dua Lipa

Her favorite drink is red wine, her PC desktop wallpaper is a stock image of waves, and she cannot resist the salty flavor of chips. Old-school cheese is her favorite pizza topping, and she gets super annoyed by people who eat with their mouths open! Her favorite emoji? The fire emoji!
When it comes to setting priorities, Dua Lipa is modern and decisive. She likes puppies better than kittens, New York better than L.A., Twitter better than Instagram, and bacon better than Nutella. When asked to choose between Beyonce and Rihanna, she said Ri-Ri was her favorite. Finally, she's more into Lizzie McGuire than Hannah Montana, and she likes tea better than coffee.