British pop singer Mimi Webb is no stranger to the global stage, but there’s one spotlight she’s still chasing: the American market. And as she puts in the work to cross over, she’s drawing inspiration from someone who’s doing it with style – Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson.
In a recent exclusive interview with Gayety, Webb opened up about the uphill battle that comes with breaking into the U.S., a journey many European artists know all too well.
“Do you know what? It’s hard, and it just takes a lot of time,” Webb said. “I’m actually in love with Zara Larsson—I love her. I would say she’s a friend of mine. I just think she’s great.”
Webb, who first signed a record deal at 17, has been on a steady climb since her debut. With hits like “Good Without” and “House on Fire,” she’s made waves across the UK and Europe, building a dedicated fanbase with her emotional vocals and infectious melodies. Still, making an impact stateside remains one of her biggest goals.
Emphasizing how long it takes to get into certain markets and breaking into new areas the the star mentioned, “Zara is the perfect example. She went on to add of her Epic label mate saying, “She’s a huge success in Europe and the UK and around the world, and she’s really having a moment in America right now. It’s so inspiring because that’s years and years of dedication.”
Webb and Larsson are even labelmates and share similar teams, making Larsson’s rise in the U.S. feel both aspirational and attainable.
“Breaking out in places like America takes so much hard work,” she said. “Touring there, spending time there, connecting with people. It’s getting on that flight, putting in those 10 hours, and trying to get over there and make people listen. It’s not easy.”
When asked which tracks from Larsson’s current album she’d love to jump on, Webb didn’t hesitate: “Hot and Sexy,” she said, before quickly adding, “All of them. Midnight Sun, Crushed… I’d do them all, to be honest. I love her. She’s so cool.”
As for which of her own songs would be a perfect fit for a Larsson feature? “Side Effects,” Webb said. “It’s really fun and upbeat. That’s giving summer evening, which I think could be a cool crossover.”
That drive to connect is at the heart of Webb’s new album, Confessions, which dropped on September 12. It’s her second full-length record and marks a bold shift from her polished pop beginnings to a more vulnerable, honest sound.
The 12-track album includes songs like “Love Language,” “Narcissist,” and “You Don’t Look at Me the Same,” which Webb has called her most vulnerable release yet. She recorded the album between Los Angeles and London, embracing a transatlantic mindset that mirrors her artistic ambitions.
To support Confessions, Webb launched The Confessions Tour across the U.K. and Europe, with Grace Gachot opening on U.K. and Ireland dates. The album rollout also included the release of the video for “You Don’t Look at Me the Same,” directed by Jake Erland and filmed in London, presenting a stripped-back visual to match the emotional weight of the song.
