EXCLUSIVE: Dua Lipa Discusses Breaking Records, Max Martin and More

There's no question that Dua Lipa is a superstar. With over 40 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, two major BRIT Awards and multiple number ones under her belt ('New Rules', 'One Kiss'), she is one of the most exciting voices in pop right now.

To make things even more exciting, Dua has just been announced as the headline performer at the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final Opening Ceremony presented by Pepsi. The prestigious event takes place on May 26th in Kiev. We cannot wait.

WATCH DUA AND CALVIN HARRIS' EPIC 'ONE KISS' VIDEO HERE...

To celebrate, we caught up with the 'Be the One' singer about the performance, her new album and so much more. 

What does it mean to you to be performing at the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final Opening Ceremony presented by Pepsi?

It means a lot to me because it's one of those moments where music and sport and people come together. And to have the opportunity to perform in front of so many people on such a large scale means so much to me. I feel so honoured. 

That's so exciting.

It is really exciting and there have been artists that have performed before me that I am such a fan of like Alicia Keys and the Black Eyed Peas. It feels really surreal to me to have opportunities like this in my life. I'm just so grateful.

How are your football skills by the way?

Honestly terrible so if anybody needed me to give a helping hand I'd be really bad. I think I'll just stick to the music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csEAAUNRYgE

You're on the biggest tour of your career right now. What's it like playing arenas?

It's insane. I can't believe it. I was thinking about it yesterday because I played the biggest show that I've ever headlined in an arena. Two years ago I played in a small place of 100 people. It's really surreal. It's nice to see all the hard work paying off. The connection I have with my fans means the world to me. Without them I wouldn't be here. And to get to see the venues grow and do all these things that I've been dreaming about is amazing.

On top of that, you also have the most monthly Spotify listeners of any female artist right now. How does that feel?

Again I'm just really grateful and it makes me want to work harder and to keep bringing out more music. That's all I really want to do.

You've just released 'One Kiss' which is a huge summer banger. What's it like to work with Calvin?

Thank you. He is really lovely and so talented. It's just been an absolute pleasure to work with someone that I'm a fan of and I've been wanting to work with him for a really long time. He's a brilliant lyricist and a producer.

Is it a transitional song between albums or does Dua Lipa have another single in it left?

I've got a couple more tricks up my sleeve but I don't think anymore from this album single wise.

You've released eight incredible singles from the album. Which is your personal fave?

This is so tricky. They're all my babies but right now 'IDGAF' is a really fun one to perform on tour. It's the intro for the encore that I have. I'd say this one now but ask me next week and it would be something different.

You're recording your new album at the moment. How's that coming along?

Really good. It's been really exciting and the process has been a lot easier than the first album because I know a lot more what I want from this album. I know myself and how I like to write whereas the first time it was really a learning curve. I am always still learning but now I know who I want to work with, I know what I want to write about and I have a clear idea of how I want to do it this time round.

And you've recently been spotted working with the likes of Diplo and Mark Ronson. Is there anyone else you can let us know that you've been working with?

I've been writing a bit with Max Martin on the album but other than that I've been mainly writing with a lot of the people that I worked with on my first album.

You recently teamed up with Zara, Alma, Charli and MØ for an amazing live lounge performance. Who were your favourite girl groups growing up and now?

The Spice Girls obviously. I love the Pussycat Dolls. I think HAIM are amazing. Oh my gosh Destiny's Child. I'm killing myself because I'm forgetting some but there are so many incredible ones.

You just tweeted that you love 'On the Loose' by Niall Horan. What else are you listening to at the moment?

I've been listening to Cardi B quite a lot. I think her new album is brilliant and my favourite song on the album is 'Be Careful'. I think it's a song that rings true for a lot of people.

What are your plans and goals for the rest of the year?

I'm touring until the end of September and there's so much happening. I'm really excited to finish off this album cycle with a bang.

Sam Prance