Dua Lipa has opened up about her lifelong passion for reading, revealing how books have shaped her from childhood to adulthood.
In a new interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the Levitating hitmaker recalled how her love for books first began at an early age and continues to inspire her today.
The 29-year-old singer shared that reading was a huge part of her childhood. She often visited a large bookshop at the O2 Centre on Finchley Road in London, where she would spend hours exploring the children’s section. “My mum would read her books, and I would just sit there all day reading mine. I think books allow us to slow down a little bit,” Dua explained.
The Cold Heart crooner credited her parents and her paternal grandfather, a respected historian in Kosovo, for nurturing her passion for literature. She noted that this early influence gave her a lifelong appreciation for the written word.
Beyond personal reading, Dua has also used her platform to promote literacy and encourage meaningful conversations through books. She recounted her recent visit to a women’s prison in the UK as part of the Booker Prize Foundation’s Books Unlocked program, where she participated in a prison book club.
Reflecting on the experience, Dua shared a powerful encounter with one inmate: “There was a lady in her fifties who told me, ‘Had I maybe read books sooner in my life, I might not be here, because reading has helped me understand people, emotions, and humanity.’”
For Dua, moments like this underscore the transformative power of literature. “Reading opens you up to the world. And it makes the world so much smaller,” she said, highlighting the importance of empathy and connection through storytelling.
In addition to her music career, Dua Lipa also runs the Service95 Book Club, a project that introduces her global audience to diverse writers and thought-provoking works. Her dedication to books proves that her artistry goes beyond music, rooted in curiosity, learning, and a love for storytelling.