Ananya Sharma Coming of age

From her inspiration to her 'I've made it' moment, this 18-year-old internet sensation shares it all with Cosmo.

- By Rewati Rau

A quick scroll through her Instagram and it’s clear who the star of Ananya Sharma’s musical journey is. Just 18, Ananya is a self-confessed daddy's girl—and honestly, he has every reason to be proud. The heart-warming videos of the father-daughter duo belting out soulful Bollywood numbers to her 1 million followers are a testament to dreams, dedication, and a whole lot of talent. Chatting with Ananya is like a breath of fresh air—equal parts inspiring and utterly charming. There's a certain sparkle in her honesty that makes her instantly likeable. Bubbling with energy and focused on her goals, her passion for music is hard to miss. It reflects in every sentence she speaks and every clip she posts—whether she’s singing, dancing, or simply being her vibrant self. And though she has a solid fan base already, Ananya prefers to keep it real: “Just call me a music influencer,” she insists.

One of the most loveable things about this teen? Her idea of a true “I've made it” moment was when someone referred to her parents as “Ananya’s parents”. Could she be any cuter? Her down-to-earth vibes likely stem from over a decade of riyaaz (practice) in Hindustani classical music, which she began at the age of nine. It’s here that she learnt the art of discipline, the value of resilience, and the sheer joy of hard-earned success. And let's be honest—this Gen Z sensation has racked up some pretty impressive milestones already. She made it to India’s Top 25 contestants on a popular musical reality TV show in 2023, has sung covers for many music labels, and has even performed live on TV during the cremation of the legendary Lata Mangeshkar in 2022. A former student of Delhi’s Modern School, Ananya has now moved to Mumbai to pursue her bachelor’s degree at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. All while prepping to fully dive into the world that makes her heart sing—music, of course.