Biography

Lara

Lara Rajagopalan

Lara Raj (born Lara Rajagopalan) is an American singer of Indian Tamil and Sri Lankan Tamil descent and a member of KATSEYE. She placed second on The Debut: Dream Academy (2023) and is described as the first Indian-origin artist signed under a HYBE label.

  • Singer
  • Lara Raj

Profile

Lara Raj (Lara Rajagopalan) is an American singer of Tamil descent and a member of the global girl group KATSEYE. She placed second on the 2023 HYBE x Geffen Records competition The Debut: Dream Academy and is described as the first Indian-origin artist to sign under a HYBE label.

Openly queer since March 2025, she has been recognized by GLAAD and the Los Angeles LGBT Center for her visibility and impact, and appeared in Baby Keem’s “Birds & the Bees” music video in 2026.

Facts

  • She placed second overall on The Debut: Dream Academy (2023) and briefly served as KATSEYE's leader before the role transitioned to Sophia Laforteza. Wikipedia EN
  • She is described as the first Indian-origin artist to sign under a HYBE label; her mother is of Indian Tamil descent and her father of Sri Lankan Hill Country Tamil descent. Wikipedia EN
  • She publicly came out as queer in March 2025, received the Los Angeles LGBT Center's Blooming Impact Award in May 2025 and was included in GLAAD's 20 Under 20 list in December 2025. Wikipedia EN
  • Her older sister is singer-songwriter Rhea Raj, and her mother is a Bharatanatyam dance teacher. Wikipedia EN

Works

The Debut: Dream Academy Contestant
2023 / Reality show
Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE Herself
2024 / TV show
Birds & the Bees (Baby Keem) Featured appearance
2026 / Music video

Awards

Blooming Impact Award
2025 / Los Angeles LGBT Center

FAQ

What is Lara from KATSEYE's full name?
Her full name is Lara Rajagopalan; she performs and is credited publicly as Lara Raj.
What is Lara's heritage?
She is American, born in Stamford, Connecticut, of Indian Tamil descent on her mother's side and Sri Lankan Hill Country Tamil descent on her father's side.
Is Lara from KATSEYE queer?
Yes. Lara publicly came out as queer in March 2025 and has since been recognized by GLAAD and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

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