Zara Larsson has never been particularly interested in keeping her opinions to herself. Whether she’s defending transgender rights, celebrating her LGBTQ+ fans or speaking about mental health, the Swedish pop star has made it clear that staying silent isn’t part of her brand.
Now, that outspoken approach has earned her a new honour. On October 9, The Trevor Project named Larsson its 2026 Mental Health Champion of the Year, recognising her advocacy for LGBTQ+ young people and her commitment to making self-expression something to celebrate rather than hide.
The announcement came ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, placing the spotlight on a singer whose relationship with the LGBTQ+ community has become an important part of her public identity.
“I’ve never understood the idea of having a platform and not using it”
For Larsson, supporting LGBTQ+ people isn’t something that should be confined to Pride Month.
Throughout her career, the Lush Life and Symphony singer has publicly defended transgender people, performed at major Pride celebrations and credited LGBTQ+ fans with influencing her music and creativity.
Accepting the recognition, she explained why she believes speaking up matters.
“I’ve never understood the idea of having a platform and not using it to speak up about the things you believe in,” Larsson said in a statement released by The Trevor Project.
“LGBTQ+ people have shown me so much love throughout my career, and I want young people in this community to know that I see them, I support them, and they should always feel free to be exactly who they are.”
She added that she was honoured to receive the award and proud to support the organisation’s work with LGBTQ+ young people.
From pop anthems to LGBTQ+ advocacy
Larsson’s connection with LGBTQ+ audiences goes beyond the dance floor.
While her music has made her a familiar name in pop culture, her public support for equality and transgender rights has helped establish her as an outspoken LGBTQ+ ally.
Her advocacy has also extended to mental health. In 2024, she partnered with Maybelline’s Brave Together initiative, which promotes mental health awareness, and has spoken about the importance of emotional support and seeking help when needed.
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, praised the singer for celebrating individuality while being willing to discuss her own mental health.
For an organisation dedicated to preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ young people, that visibility carries particular significance.
Why this award matters more than ever
The recognition arrives at a difficult time for LGBTQ+ young people in the United States.
According to The Trevor Project’s 2025 national survey, 36% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide during the previous year, rising to 40% among transgender and nonbinary respondents.
The findings also revealed that 44% of those who wanted mental health care were unable to access it, while 90% reported stress or anxiety related to recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws, policies and public debates.
The organisation emphasises that LGBTQ+ identities themselves are not responsible for increased suicide risk. Instead, discrimination, stigma and hostile environments contribute to poorer mental health outcomes.
Its research also found that young people living in highly accepting communities reported suicide attempts at less than one-third the rate of those living in highly unaccepting communities.
In that context, support from public figures with international audiences can help reinforce a message that many young people still need to hear: they deserve acceptance and a place to belong.
Zara Larsson joins Dua Lipa, Lil Nas X and Janelle Monáe
Larsson is the sixth person to receive The Trevor Project’s Mental Health Champion of the Year Award.
Previous recipients include Lil Nas X in 2021, Janelle Monáe in 2022, Dylan Mulvaney in 2023, Dua Lipa in 2024 and Megan Thee Stallion in 2025.
The award recognises influential public figures who challenge stigma and use their visibility to support LGBTQ+ young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
For Larsson, the recognition celebrates something she has repeatedly demonstrated throughout her career: her willingness to speak openly about the issues she believes in, even when remaining silent might be easier.
And for the LGBTQ+ fans who have supported her music, the message is unmistakable. Their support has not gone unnoticed.
Source: The Trevor Project — October 9, 2026
Image credit
Photo: Raph_PH / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
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