New York City is a special place for Carolina Giraldo Navarro, better known as Karol G, the open-hearted Colombian superstar with a penchant for breaking barriers. Eleven years ago, disillusioned with the music business, Karol came to the city to study English and start over. She had spent six years struggling to break out as a singer in her hometown of Medellín with the help of her father, Juan Guillermo Giraldo Ramírez, a local musician, who saw her potential for stardom when no one else did. Few in the Latin music industry thought audiences wanted to hear a woman sing reggaeton, the dance-friendly genre dominating the airwaves with a multicultural combination of hip-hop, reggae, and dembow beats. When she packed her bags for New York, Karol was ready to say goodbye to music.
But that stint turned out to just be a detour along the way to what came next—a major record deal, global hit singles with Nicki Minaj and Shakira, and headlining tours across Latin America and the U.S., including a main-stage performance at Coachella. These days, Karol’s signature waist-length, vibrantly dyed hair has become something of a liability, thwarting her anonymity in New York City and Paris.
This story is from the June/July 2023 edition of ELLE US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June/July 2023 edition of ELLE US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MUSIC for This MOMENT
Featuring NORMANI, GRACIE ABRAMS, FLO MILLI, COCO JONES
Ms. Bright Side
For Dua Lipa, queen of the dance floor and everyone's big sister, life is only worth living if you're having fun.
SUMMER SOUNDS
Meet the breakthrough artists you'll have on repeat.
JEWEL WILL STILL SAVE YOUR SOUL
Artifice is out, mental health is in, and Jewel's been ready for this moment her entire life.
BODY BY BOTOX
Barbie neck. Angular shoulders. And a long-lasting back massage? Injections are no longer just for your face.
The MAGIC of CHARLOTTE TILBURY
The world's most beguiling makeup artist on beauty, stars, love, and sex.
ONLY IN VENICE
As the Venice Biennale marks its 60th edition, the city's art scene has never been more vibrant.
RISE & SHINE
Van Cleef & Arpels's Poetic Complications collection is the ultimate pick-me-up.
GREATEST HITS
Musicians are revisiting their fashion \"eras\"-and with them, their pasts.
THEY'RE WITH THE BAND
Thanks to groups like Blackpink and boygenius, musicians' synchronized dressing has reached new heights.