girl in red
Biography
Marie Ulven Ringheim, born on February 16, 1999, in Horten, Norway, is the singer, songwriter, and record producer known professionally as girl in red. She grew up in a town she described as "quiet and kinda boring," which fueled her turn to music. After her grandfather gifted her a guitar in 2012, she began teaching herself to play and write songs by 2013. Initially considering a career as a teacher, she eventually focused on music, coining her stage name after an experience trying to identify herself to a friend via text.
Career Beginnings
girl in red's career began in her bedroom, where she wrote and produced her own music. She released her debut single "I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend" on SoundCloud in November 2016. The song gained traction online, amassing thousands of streams and helping her build a significant online following. This early success led to her signing a deal with the music company AWAL. Her early singles, including "Summer Depression" and "Girls," also gained millions of views and streams.
Rise to Prominence
In 2018, girl in red released her debut EP, "Chapter 1," which featured songs about romance and mental health. That same year, her single "I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend" was listed at number 9 on The New York Times' list of "The 68 Best Songs of 2018". She followed this with her second EP, "Chapter 2," in 2019, and a compilation vinyl album titled "Beginnings." She embarked on her first international headlining tour, the "World in Red" tour, in 2019, performing in cities across North America and Europe. The phrase "Do you listen to girl in red?" became a popular way on platforms like TikTok for users to ask if someone is a lesbian.
Studio Albums and Mainstream Success
Her debut studio album, "If I Could Make It Go Quiet," was released in April 2021 and was a critical and commercial success. The album, featuring the popular single "Serotonin," earned her three Spellemann Awards (Norwegian Grammys), including Spellemann of the Year. Following this success, she signed with Columbia Records in 2022. In 2023, she was chosen by Taylor Swift to be an opening act for her Eras Tour. Her second studio album, "I'm Doing It Again Baby!", was released in April 2024.
Musical Style and Impact
The music of girl in red is characterized by its themes of romance, mental health, and the queer experience. Her honest and direct songwriting has resonated with a large audience, particularly with young people and the LGBTQ+ community. She has been cited as a queer icon by publications like Paper and The New York Times. Her openness about her own struggles with mental health and her identity has been a significant part of her connection with her fanbase.